They served, they fought, they won. And today they finally got some recognition – along with all the men and women who put their lives on the line to preserve the American way of life by serving our country in the armed forces. Today was Veterans’ Day and according to tradition, it was observed on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 a.m. President Woodrow Wilson proposed the holiday in 1918 and Congress set it it stone in 1926. It became a national holiday in 1938.
Dr. Gordon Hazard and Dr. Tom Braddock were selected as Veterans of the Year for West Point, MS. during a celebration today in West Point. 
Gordon and Sara Hazard were up front with all their children along with his best friend Tom Braddock and family.
Proud? Oh, yeah. I am lucky enough to call them both “Big Daddy.” And I was also grateful to be able to offer “The Pledge of Allegiance” which I’d almost forgotten because we don’t say it enough!
Randy Jones, the city administrator presented awards to both men to a packed crown in City Hall. Dr. Braddock was commander of a LST – Landing Ship Tank 502 in the South Pacific. He was involved in transporting more than 500 Japanese prisoners from the island of Truk to Yokohoma, Japan.
Dr. Hazard was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Infantry, engaged in active combat in four campaigns: Northern France, Alsace-Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Among his decorations are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Bronze Star.
Tom and Gordon share the same birthday although Tom can’t avoid mentioning that Gordon is one year older (86). They have celebrated their birthdays together for as long as I can remember. And they pick at each other endlessly. Unfortunately, Tom is an Ole Miss Rebel and Gordon is a Mississippi State Bulldog. That is their only sticking point. Somehow, they’ve managed to live with their differences. What a pair. What a wonderful pair.
Two of my favorite people! Congratulations to them both!
And what a beautiful day for a celebration! I wish that I could have been there to give them both a hug! Daddy always called Dr. Hazard, “Fireball”…and your dad, “TNB”….he had a nickname for everyone, as you know, I’m sure.
And I loved the pictures…..they both look wonderful! Miss Martha, too!
And of course, Miss Sarah look fantastic, as always! (Couldn’t forget her!)
I thought about you and Homer today. I really did. Just seems like he should have been there – He would have loved to be a part of that argument between Ole Miss and MSU.
Fill me in where you are on the move! Got my bags packed.
Loved seeing Dr. Braddock and Dr. Hazard’s photo for a Veteran’s Day Honor. Daddy considered both of them such dear friends too, along with Mr. Catledge! They are TRULY the Greatest Generation!
So, tell me who you are – obviously from the Point! J Smith has me puzzled.
Janis Buck Smith…..Brenda and Thad’s little sister. She and Marc moved to Tuscaloosa last summer!
Thanks so much for the memory .
Okay Olivia. How are we going to deal with this weekend? Will you be here?
Oh sorry Emily. I am Janis (Buck) Smith. You know me, Brenda and Thad’s lil sis. We are now living in Tuscaloosa and Olivia told me about the Deluded Diva! I have so enjoyed it….Keep up the good work. It brings a smile to my face each time I read your column.
Well, my goodness Janis! Haven’t seen you in YEARS. I’d heard you moved to Tuscaloosa – glad to know you’re there and can keep Olivia straight!
Emily….I have hated the MSU-Alabama game for 38 years! That is the number of years since we first came to graduate school at Alabama.
Can you be for both teams? I say “YES!”
Of course you can! In fact my outfit for the State/Ole Miss game is really tacky…a pink Ole Miss jersey topped with a M-State Jacket. I’ll take off and put on according to who I run into.
Sometimes you just gotta be a politician to co-exist in this world.