The Shelby County, Texas, Chamber of Commerce presented Larry Hume its 2013 Distinguished Service Award at the 91st annual chamber banquet on April 11.
The award was presented in large part for his activities involving veterans issues and activities.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, 2012 award recipient John Howard said Hume "keeps the military history of Shelby County alive, and with his leadership, we are a better community and we do appreciate, thank and salute the service that so many have given the United States of America."
Hume, born in California, in 1942, is a 1961 graduate of California High School. He began his U. S. Air Force service on Sept. 6, 1961, retiring on Oct. 1, 1981 with the rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant (E-9). During his military career, he served in Oklahoma, Vietnam, Missouri, Colorado, Alaska, Kansas, and Texas. Living in Texas since 1980, he retired from the military at Carswell Air Force Base.
Hume joined Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 in 2001, and was Post Commander from 2002-05. Since then, he has served as Post Quartermaster since. He was 2006-07 District 19 Commander, leading the district to All-State status. Hume was an All-State Post Quartermaster four times. He was the 2009-10 Department of Texas VFW recipient of the J. T. Rutherford Award for excellence. In 2010-11, Hume led Post 8904 to "All American Status" and a second National Community Service Award. Having served in many state level VFW offices, he was selected by the state commander as a "National Aide De Camp" for 2011-12 and a "National Deputy Chief of Staff" in 2012-13. He has served as Chaplain for VFW District 19 since 2006-07. In that role, he has presided over each district memorial service and has conducted funeral services for VFW members within the district.
As Post Commander he instituted an honor guard to render final military honors for Shelby County Veterans.
After hosting a daily veteran's radio program from November 2009 to July 2010, he began writing in December 2010 a weekly veteran's column for "Shelby County Today." Most recently he researched and authored a series called "Almost Home". This series followed the lives of 40 Shelby County World War II veterans who were either killed in action and are buried in an overseas cemetery or are still listed as missing in action. They were also published in the local newspaper, "Light and Champion."Â
Among the numerous medals and citations he received during his military career are the Meritorius Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with a star, NCO Professional Military Education ribbon with one oak leaf cluster, Expert Marksmanship Award, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He served in the personnel/finance fields, as Commandant of the Alaskan Air Command NCO Academy and Leadership School, and as the Command Chief Master Sergeant to the Commanders of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan., and 19th Air Division, Carswell AFB, Texas. While on active duty he earned a BA degree in Business from Park University and an MA degree in Management from Webster University.
Besides veteran's issues, Hume's printing business is the county drop-off point for used ink jet and laser cartridges, cell phones, rechargeable batteries and flags that need to be retired. He has rescued a number of dogs and either provided a home for them or found them homes.
Residing in Center, Texas, since 1996, Hume and his wife Theresa have four children and six grandchildren. Members of St. John's Episcopal Church, they are active lay ministers with Larry leading Morning Prayer when needed.
Larry is the brother of Pat Roll, California.