By Melanie Thomas
Special to the Odessa American
A former longtime Odessa resident hopes to put a smile on her brother-in-law’s face and she’s hoping the community will help her to do that.
Kathie Cord, now of Breckenridge, is planning to honor Odessan Paul Gunn with a birthday parade Saturday, just four days before his 96th birthday.
Gunn is an Army veteran, who was stationed in Germany during World War II.
Cord said her older sister Betty was married to Gunn from the mid 60s until she passed 10 years ago. She said her sister took care of her when she was younger and she said Gunn has helped her when she needed it since her sister’s passing.
Cord said the parade is her way of showing her thanks and appreciation and “something to hopefully help him feel better.”
Preston Parrott, service officer with the American Legion Post 430, said the military veterans organization is helping with Cord’s efforts to honor Gunn.
Parrott said several members of the American Legion will drive or ride their motorcycles and will honk their horns or rev their motors as they drive by Gunn’s house, which is at the corner of Walnut and 38th.
He said participants and others who are interested in participating in the parade will meet up at Faith Tabernacle Church at the corner of 42nd and 38th at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and then at 15 minutes to 2 p.m., the group will head west on 38th to Walnut and start blowing their horns once they are in front of Gunn’s house at 3802 Walnut.
Parrott said other efforts are being planned by another organization to honor Gunn and other WWII veterans.
