With Veterans Day nearing, it is a good time to remember those among us who have so valiantly served our country.

This issue we feature two of our Veterans, one from Port O’Connor and one from Seadrift – just two of the brave in our community.

Dixie Howell

With a sparkle in his eye, Port O’Connor resident Dixie Howell recounted many experiences as an electronic warfare officer in the Air Force. This all happened in our interview. From Dixie’s enthusiasm you could easily tell he was extremely proud of his service for our country. Serving twenty years was no small thing and required the grit and determination that our men and women in action were and are so famous for.

Originally from Tennessee, Dixie was born William Covie Howell in Decatur, Tennessee. He is proud of his Tennessean roots and loves to talk about his family.

Dixie went into the Air Force as a ROTC Commissioned Officer in 1959. During the Vietnam War he was in over 300 B52 bombing raids and over 300 combat missions. Some of his stateside tours of duty included Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth, Minot AFB in North Dakota, Little Rock AFB in Arkansas, and Matagorda Island AFB at Matagorda Island.
Dixie retired as an Air Force Major in 1979. He and his wife Diane Fowler Howell were married fifty-seven years and had three children.

On Wednesdays you can find Dixie at the Community Coffee at the Port O’Connor Library. That’s from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Our hats off to Dixie Howell and all veterans who served our country. We owe each and every one of them a great debt of gratitude! Freedom isn’t free.

Dixie Howell

Jimmy Odom

Newcomers to Seadrift and originally from West Texas, Jimmy and Linda Odom love living by the Bay! Their home is just a stone’s throw from the water right on Bay Avenue in Seadrift.

They love fishing and Jimmy loves to do odd jobs around the house. (Linda calls it “piddlin”)

Jimmy and Linda have had a burden to bear for twenty years. On Christmas Eve 2004 Jimmy had a liver transplant. (Linda says, “That was our Christmas present that God gave us.”)

Jimmy, also, has numerous health issues and has to be monitored closely by his doctor.

You see, Jimmy served in the Marines during the Vietnam War and was exposed daily to the defoliant Agent Orange. He paid a great sacrifice for our country because of his exposure, but he says, “It’s our duty to go and fight. If we didn’t, what is going to happen to our country? Nobody likes the war, but I’m proud to have gone.”

Jimmy served in the 4th Marine Division during 1969-1970. We salute his service to our country!

Jimmy & Linda Odom with Marine trophy from their son