There was a big commotion going on at our little post office yesterday. I drove up and saw the postmaster outside, talking to a prison guard with a gun on his hip. The guard was watching some inmates in their green and white striped prisoner uniforms as they worked. There were inmates weeding the flower beds out front, and one gangly youth was washing the post office windows.

Local officials and other officious looking men stood around talking and watching.
The postmaster was outside because someone was refurbishing the floor of the post office. Of course locals were gathered around taking in, and talking about, all the activity going on.

The postmaster was going in and out getting mail for patrons. She brought my mail to me and said the PO was getting a makeover because there was to be a dedication--our teeny PO was going to be named after a local hero. This is what I know of the hero. His last name was Freeman; he was a native son, born and raised with his feet in the red clay of Greene County Mississippi. He joined the military in WWII and wanted to be a fighter pilot, but was denied, He was too tall.

He became a legend after petitioning over and over again to be allowed to be a pilot. He was ever after known as "Too Tall" Freeman. Eventually he was granted his wish and became a pilot and had a long, colorful, and distinguished career. He married a girl from another state and never returned to his roots. But our post office will be named for the boy who made good, and for as long as it stands will bear his name.

susil