Bilbo Rodgers of Pascagoula (Meet the Heroes)PASCAGOULA -- Bilbo Rodgers has a second invitation from the Pascagoula Rotary Club to attend their meeting on Wednesday, June 8, at the Grand Magnolia Ballroom.
The invitation is part of the public attention that has been bestowed upon Rodgers, a veteran of World War II, since he and 83 other veterans made the inaugural trip of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight on May 11.
The invitation is part of the public attention that has been bestowed upon Rodgers, a veteran of World War II, since he and 83 other veterans made the inaugural trip of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight on May 11.
The Mississippi Press/June 06, 2011
He feels "pretty good" about all the attention, though he and his family have been surprised my his seeming celebrity status now.
He feels "pretty good" about all the attention, though he and his family have been surprised my his seeming celebrity status now.
"I've done got to be real popular," he said this morning. "They're excited about it. They think it's real good."
Though he didn't know it until the next day, the greeting between his daughter, Julia Holmes, and himself at the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, where Gulf Coast residents had gathered to welcome home the Honor Flight veterans, was the front page photograph in The Mississippi Press.
"That flight to Washington really brought it to the light," he said. "I didn't think all of this would come of it."
Though he didn't know it until the next day, the greeting between his daughter, Julia Holmes, and himself at the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, where Gulf Coast residents had gathered to welcome home the Honor Flight veterans, was the front page photograph in The Mississippi Press.
"That flight to Washington really brought it to the light," he said. "I didn't think all of this would come of it."
At the WWII memorial, Rodgers was among three South Mississippi veterans who took part in the laying of a wreath.
Holmes, Rodgers' eldest daughter and child, also is excited about the attention he's received lately, he said.
Rodgers said all of the World War II veterans were treated to a number of recognitions by area businesses and community groups before they made the May 11 trip to the nation's capital to tour the WWII monument built in their honor. The veterans also toured memorials for soldiers who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and they were part of a sight tour of the Lincoln Memorial.
"Before I went on the flight Ingalls gave us a big dinner for the World War II veterans," he said.
During April, Beau Rivage casino provided a tribute that included a show. Veterans were allowed to bring another guest, said Rodgers. "I carried Aubrey Williams and another guy from our area."
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