Larry Lewis: Service to country, home
Published 7:38 pm Monday, October 28, 2024
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This week, the Greenville Advocate recognizes U.S. Army veteran Larry Lewis as its Hero of the Week. Drafted into military service in 1969, Lewis, originally from Oklahoma City, went on to serve two tours in Vietnam before continuing his military career.
“I spent the first 12 years, or 13 years, in communications,” Lewis said. “After that, I was transferred over to the Air Defense Command, where I served as an electronics repairman for the Hawk Missile Systems.”
However, it’s not just his military service that makes Lewis a hero in his family’s eyes.
“My Papa was in the Army and I know he was a good soldier because he’s strong and tough.” said Larry’s 7-year-old granddaughter Lairyn. “He’s not a soldier anymore but sometimes late at night, I sneak out of bed and he shares his ice cream with me.”
Lewis is also deeply admired by his daughter, Amy, who reflected on his role as a father.
“He was a stern but wonderful dad,” Amy said. “When I was a teenager, I just thought he was strict but looking back now, I can recognize all of the things he did. Everything was always taken care of. If something broke, he fixed it. If we needed something, we got it. Every important event in our lives, he was always front and center.”
After 21 years of military service, Lewis retired as a Staff Sergeant in 1990. He transitioned into a second career in the remodeling business, working on homes for 12 years. His woodworking skills are evident in his own home, where he has built much of the furniture. Recently, he constructed a playhouse for his grandchildren, complete with working lights and even air conditioning.
“My favorite thing to do with my Papa is to go to my playground and playhouse,” Lairyn said. “When I slide, he lets me use his arm as a bridge that goes up and down.”
Amy is particularly struck by how her father’s strict demeanor has softened with his grandchildren.
“It’s amazing to see this tough man who always seemed so formidable, lying on the floor playing blocks with the kids,” Amy said. “He was a great dad, but he’s the world’s best Papa.”
Now, in his retirement, Lewis enjoys spending time with his family, maintaining his property, tending to his gardens and caring for his chickens. Whether working on a new project or spending time with his grandchildren, Lewis remains a hero both in and out of uniform.