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Father and son huddle Mike Deraps and his father, Phil Deraps enjoy a moment together before a Mt. Abram basketball game recently. The senior Deraps, 84, told us that he "never had much time to see Mike play (basketball in school) because I was always working." His nurse and Jeff Pillsbury arranged the plan to bring Phil from his residence at Edgewood Nursing Home in Farmington to the game. When Phil was told that it was game day, he replied "Today's a good day!" and he was ready to head to Mt. Abram at 4 that afternoon. Phil met several of the Mt. Abram basketball players, who came over to shake his hand and thank him for coming to the game. "This is the most surprised I've been in a long time," said Mike, who was proud to have his dad there. "You know, he's a World War II decorated hero." (Heidi Murphy photo)
Father and son huddle Mike Deraps and his father, Phil Deraps enjoy a moment together before a Mt. Abram basketball game recently. The senior Deraps, 84, told us that he "never had much time to see Mike play (basketball in school) because I was always working." His nurse and Jeff Pillsbury arranged the plan to bring Phil from his residence at Edgewood Nursing Home in Farmington to the game. When Phil was told that it was game day, he replied "Today's a good day!" and he was ready to head to Mt. Abram at 4 that afternoon. Phil met several of the Mt. Abram basketball players, who came over to shake his hand and thank him for coming to the game. "This is the most surprised I've been in a long time," said Mike, who was proud to have his dad there. "You know, he's a World War II decorated hero." (Heidi Murphy photo)
