Hero

article by Lou Davenport

2020….

Could we in our wildest dreams ever have forseen a year like this has been? First, a deadly virus named Covid-19 appeared. We were locked down, quarantined, masked, and learned the words, “socially distance.” And of all things, a hurricane named Laura came to Monroe and made many of us refugees. As I write this, another one might come through.

But through all the highs, lows, and in betweens, there have been moments that make us so thankful to be alive, and especially to appreciate the good things in our lives. For me, I’m especially thankful for my family.

Someone once said, “When it gets down to it, all you have is your family.” I have three great children, and a big family that I adore. I’m pretty blessed.

There is someone in my family, my uncle, JB Humphrey that turned 100 years old on October 7th. We had a big celebration planned for him before the Covid-19 cancelled that. All of us were so disappointed, that he turned 100 in the middle of all this madness with no celebration.

So, a few weeks ago, my cousin, Lisa Trussell, and I were talking on the phone about how much we missed him since we can’t go see him at the VA home for now. But, as we talked we wondered how we could do something for him. He certainly deserved some kind of recognition for the life he has lived. So, we started brainstorming, not knowing where we would even start!

The two of us are hard headed (it’s a family trait) and we just knew there had to be some way, even though we didn’t know a way. But, if you ask Him, God steps in and makes a way.

We knew that whatever we planned, it would have to be approved by the Veteran’s Administration. Lisa made a phone call, then a few more, and they agreed with us that “Mr. JB” surely deserved something to mark his 100th year on this earth.

We came up with a few ideas and they approved them, but also laid down their guidelines and rules that we would have to strictly observe. For him, we knew we could, so, a party began to take shape.

We agreed to having only 15 family members, 30 minutes for the celebration, and everyone had to be masked and be “socially distanced.” We understood their concerns, and knew it was for the residents’ safety, as well as ours. We sent everyone else that wanted to be there to an empty parking lot nearby (Plan B).

So, here’s the story of our getting a party planned with great style for an amazing man, and it was to be a surprise!

We started calling everywhere we thought we could get what we needed. (Call and just ask… they might say no, but they might say yes!) I called Barksdale AFB to see if they would send an honor guard, and if we could get a B-52 to do a fly over. Not as easy as you might think. We were on a tight timeline and there was just too much “red tape.” So, we had to go to Plan B. By chance, Lisa’s son-in-law knew of a group of pilots that do aerial acrobatic flying. A call to “Jimmy the Pilot” (Jimmy Fondren) and we had the Aeroshell Acrobatics Team that were going to do a show! Not just a flyover!

We knew we wanted some music from the 1940’s, so Ms. Nell Calloway from the Chennault Aviation Museum gave us the name of a group of ladies who sing just that music! They are named Southern Grace.

After a call to the National Guard, we had an honor guard! This party was shaping up to be even more than we ever imagined!

Another example of how things just somehow work out the way they need to was when we thought we had an emcee…..and then we didn’t! That job fell to me and Lisa! Yes, indeed, we were nervous, because neither of us are public speakers! But, we knew we could do it for our Uncle “Beeker.”

When the word got out, help started coming in from all over the place. He received over 400 cards and letters, some from school children who wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. One of those cards was written by a little 3rd grade girl, and was read by Lisa to open the party.

All kinds of certificates, proclamations, and official pins and flags started coming in. The Governor even sent him a signed declaration of his 100th year, and a flag that flew over the Capital in Baton Rouge. It was unbelievable!

But, let me tell you about my Uncle. He is the second oldest living WWII Veteran in Louisiana. For his service to our country, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He was a flight engineer on a B-59, and on his next to last mission, the plane was shot down over enemy territory. He pulled his crew out of the plane and got them safely hid, all the while with a broken back. They had to have been so scared, but the French Resistance got there and safely rescued them, and took them to a hospital in Belgium. He was transferred to three different hospitals before he made his way to a hospital ship in Ireland. That ship made its way south, across the equator and up the eastern coast to New York, when he finally was back in the States. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

There’s so much more of his story of being a soldier in WWII, but I don’t have the room to tell it all.

When he returned home to Delhi, LA, he became a rural route mail carrier until he retired. He is now the oldest living rural route carrier in Louisiana! When both presidents of the State and National Rural Route Mail Carriers presented him with awards, one said, “and Mr. Humphrey still pays his annual dues!”

He is an amazing man, always smiling and always ready with a great story. If you meet him, you automatically love him; he’s just has that special spirit. My cousin and I learned just how loved our Uncle was putting this party together.

On Wednesday, October 7th, I got to the VA home on 165 to find the entire entrance flying big flags! Then, the entire driveway was circled with smaller flags. The VA had a special place right in the middle for him to be surrounded by flags. It was a beautiful sight! All our chairs were spaced just right, and Lisa and I even had a podium! We were all “masked up,” and ready for the party!

Now, our Uncle knew NONE of this! When he was brought out to see all the flags, family members, and many of his friends at the VA home, I couldn’t tell what he might have been thinking when everyone started singing “Happy Birthday!” Then, several of the veterans started chanting “JB! JB! JB!” He was speechless, and that doesn’t happen often!

Southern Grace sang the National Anthem a cappella as the Honor Guard presented the colors. Lisa did a great opening and one of the ladies at the VA home, Ms. Marketta, read all the certificates and awards for us. Then the ladies started to sing, and the party started to swing! Toes were tapping, and I think we all wanted to get up and dance because that music was so good!

While the ladies were nearing the end of their part of the show, we started hearing planes! All of a sudden, there was the Aeroshell Team and they didn’t do just a fly by, they put on a show! They showed up and showed out! It was unforgettable!

I did my ending, and got through it without tears, and I was very thankful for that. He knew how much he was loved, and what a hero he truly is! I was overjoyed that we were able to make his 100th so special, and that fit him so well!

But we didn’t do this alone. There aren’t enough words to thank everyone at the Northeast Louisiana Veteran’s Home for all they did to help us make his birthday so special. They went the extra mile and it was as near as perfect as it could have been.

A huge thank you to the ladies of Southern Grace. They set the festive atmosphere for the party, and my-oh-my how those ladies can sing! Their last song did make me cry…but it was a good cry! Thank you, Ms. Nell Calloway, for sending them our way!

Thank you to the National Guard for such a polished honor guard!

To the Aeroshell Acrobatics Team, we salute you and thank you Jimmy Fondren and his team made sure that air show was unforgettable. Nobody will ever forget my Uuncle’s 100th. I was told that Uncle Beeker said after the party was over, “It doesn’t cost a thing to love, but it costs you everything if you hate.” Pretty wise words from one HERO of a man!

And as David Bowie sang, “We can be heroes if for just one day.”