Korean War Air Force bag left in limbo for several months, finally located

PARMA, Ohio - A 60-year-old Korean War Air Force flight bag taken in for repair was held in limbo several months, with little explanation, prompting a call to the NewsChannel5 Troubleshooter Unit.

Phyllis Ponchak said she took the family heirloom to the Western Reserve Sewing Company to have the bag's leather handle re-attached back in October 2011.

Pochack was given a receipt, and was told repairs to the bag would be completed in just a couple of weeks.

Ponchak wanted to give her late husband's flight bag to her son as Christmas gift.

"It's very important, because it's the last legacy I have of something tangible of him," said Ponchak. "I mean, I have pictures and so forth, but I know this means a lot to my son."

Ponchak and her daughter, Diane Kotowski, told NewsChannel5 the family made nearly a dozen phone calls about the fight bag, over a seven-month period, with little response.

"Some person might look at it as a $20 bag," said Kotowski. "To us it's priceless, it's part of him."

George Ponchak served as an Air Force MP during the Korean War, and died from cancer in 2011.

NewsChannel5 took Phyllis Ponchak to the Western Reserve Sewing Company on Cleveland's west side, in search of her husband's flight bag.

The company quickly located the family heirloom, and apologized for not keeping track of the work order.

The bag was still not repaired, but the company assured NewsChannel5 the repairs would be completed free of charge in just a couple of hours.

Ponchak was relieved the learn the bag hadn't been lost over the past several months.

"Yes, I'm very happy to see it," said Ponchak. "It settles my mind a little bit, 'cause I was really concerned, thank you."

When booking repairs, consumers should always obtain a written completion date on their repair receipt.

If phone calls aren't effective in getting an update on repairs, consumers should feel free to visit the shop in-person.

Customers should file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or the Ohio Attorney General if repairs drag on without results for months.