Hollis Baker’s Blog

Most of us have birthdays scattered through out the year. I don’t know anyone who really forgets his birthday. Most of us think it is such a great day, the whole world should remember. Many of us, if we fear our birthday is being forgotten, find ways to drop neat little hints. This usually works well. However some I know have birthdays on important, historical dates. Like my nephew; his birthday falls on the 4th of July. He really thinks all those fireworks are for him. I am not going to tell him and no one forgets his birthday.

There are dangers being born on some one else’s birthday. How would you like to share your day with the likes of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? No way you can over come that kind of competition. Thanksgiving and Christmas are days to be avoided when planning your own personal birthday. I have a brother-in-law whose birthday comes on the 29th of February. Poor guy; he has had only 19 big days even though he is really 76 years old. He has tried to sneak in the back door on the 28th of February, but we refuse to let him. I have known some guys who get married on their brides birthday so he will not forget her big day nor their big day. Some of them even muff both in one fell swoop. They tend to not live long; well not calm lives anyway.

Even having a birthday close to a famous date can be challenging. Troy Joseph was born the 8th of December. His first 21 years around Liberty Hill were easy enough. Then came December the 7th, 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Talk about fire works! Within a month he was in the Navy. A few more weeks and he was on the USS Grant headed for the far East. Those were wild days and they weren’t spent thinking about celebrating birthdays. Troy helped in removing General MacArthur from the Philippines, to fight another day. Action was a daily encounter. Troy and the men and officers of the USS Grant completed their assignment with honor.

Troy Joseph has celebrated many birthdays since that one. He claims he will be 88 years old the 8th of December. My math is a little fuzzy these days, however Troy is not one to challenge. I know for the last several years he has worked hard at making Liberty Hill known as “The Friendly City”. He mans the Liberty Hill Information center and can be counted on to see that the job needing to be done gets done. He also has a heart warming smile and wave to all that pass the center.

Drive by the Information Center Saturday the 8th, honk and giver Troy a big birthday wave. He will thank you for it.