OLONA, ORLANDO R.  Orlando R. Olona, Msgt. USAF, Retired 22 years Eccl: 3:1-2 "There is a time for every affair under the heavens -- a time to be born and a time to die. Age 92, Orlando was a part of the "Greatest Generation." He was 20 years old when Pearl Harbor took place. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1942; served on the Island of Attu, in Alaska; as a crew chief and tail gunner on the B-25 military airplane. In 1946, he met his future wife, Melba Dimas and they married in 1947. He was transferred to Germany and participated in the Berlin Airlift. They were in Munich and Berlin, Germany for four years. They were transferred several times more, including four years in Panama. He retired in 1964, returning to Albuquerque. His legacy is his military history, and he has seen his children and his children's children, as God promised. Orlando lost his parents at a very young age and was raised by his loving Grandmother Sofia Bazan Olona, with the help of his Uncles Manuel, Blas, and Antonio. He is predeceased by his father Pablo Olona, & mother Lucia Padilla Olona; his brothers Paul and Ernest; and his three sons Timmy, Steve, and Tom. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Melba; and his children Jerry, Cathy, Michael, Arthur, Mark, Sophia, Nick, Paul, and Jeff; and his sisters Alice Olona Torres, and Pauline Olona Hernandez. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Orlando will be laid to rest with his sons, Timmy and Tom at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, with full military honors. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. All services will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church. Funeral services include the following: Tuesday, September 2, 2014: Visitation 5-6 pm; Rosary 6-7 pm., and Wednesday, September 3, 2014: Mass 9 am; reception lunch 10 am - 12 noon; Burial 2:00 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The family would like to thank all of Orlando's doctors, nurses, and caregivers during the last five years. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warriors Project, or the Little Sisters of the Poor (Gallup, NM). Funeral arrangements are being handled by Salazar Mortuary. Please visit the website at www.salazarmortuary.com
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