Bob Hickey, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War has been selected as grand marshal for this year’s Brownwood Reunion Grand Parade.
“I have been in parades before, but to be asked to be the grand marshal is an honor and I am excited,” said the 88-year-old Hickey.Hickey’s selection as grand marshal came as a result of his interest in another Brownwood Reunion activity, “Brownwood’s Got Talent.”
“I had called the people in charge of the talent show and told them that I wanted to recite a poem and talk a little bit about World War II,” Hickey said. “At the auditions, I led everyone in the pledge of allegiance and was able to recite my poem. Sometime after that, they called me and asked me if I would be the grand marshal.”
Graduating high school in Kansas, Hickey entered the Army in 1944. During combat, Hickey was injured, courtesy of shrapnel wounds to his arm. Serving for two years, Hickey said good-bye to the Army in 1946. After working various jobs, Hickey returned to the familiar, once again enlisting with the Army. As a photographer, Hickey was stationed in Okinawa when the Korean War kicked off. Hickey was quickly sent to Korea to fight in the war.
Shortly after marrying his wife Jayne, Hickey left the Army and the couple headed to Brownwood where he studied Spanish and secondary education at Howard Payne University. Bob and Jayne Hickey, along with their six children relocated several times as Hickey worked for three decades as a federal employee. The Hickeys are still active in the community with Bob as a member of the Brownwood Camp of Gideon’s International and Jayne as a member of that organization’s ladies auxiliary. Hickey has also been involved with Lions Club International and the American Legion.
The Brownwood Reunion Celebration Grand Parade will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. Registration is open at www.celebratebrownwood.com.
Pictured above is Hickey as participated in the Brownwood’s Got Talent competition. Also pictured above is volunteer Tammy Robinson.
