ryan: pedevillano enlisted at 19 with the u.s. air force quickly became part of the 306 bomb group, which flew missions over nazi, germany, during the war. on april 24, 1944, his plane was shot down. pedevillano was wounded and became a prisoner of war. more than 73 years later, pedevillano is being recognized and was awarded the purple heart at the air force memorial in arlington. [applause] >> we had the opportunity today to remember him and remember those like him. ryan: pedevillano now lives in college park. he was surrounded by his family and friends. part of t greatest accomplishment is his service and marrying his late wife. >> the only honor that i feel i had the privilege of serving this country in wartime. ryan: pedevillano has a lot of love for his country and for his family. in five days he is turning 95 years old. he tells me the purple heart is the perfect birthday gift. in arlington, ryan hughes, abc7 news. nancy: 94 years old. jonathan: we wish he didn't have to wait that long but a long deserved medal. thank him f

retired lieutenant john pedevillano of college park receiving a purple heart at the air force memorial today days before his 95th birthday. he was wounded when the plane crash landed in am booing mission in 1944. >> we are the same privilege of serving the country in wartime. >> military was unable to present pedevillano the purple heart during the war because he was a prisoner of war. alison: wow! tomorrow marks 50 years since meriweather post pavilion opened in columbia. now plans are made to add pools and spruce up the bathroom and the concessions. melissa dipane has a look at the proposed renovations. melissa: 50 years is a long time. they have hosted the fair share of the music greats and have stories to prove it. >> we had a grateful dead show and really well lawn. we had to dry the lawn. >> this week it will celebrate the golden opportunity with the new features. >> it's important that we preserve the charge of meriweather post pavilion. that is what keeps artists coming back a fans coming back. melissa: if you ever wonder what it's like to be a rock star, here is your chance. m