Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, November 14, 2013
(BEDFORD) - Longtime Parkview Intermediate School Volunteer Phil Tatom now has a road named after him. Tatom was surprised when he was called to the podium during the Veterans Day program Monday at the school.
Roger Moon of the Times-Mail reports that Principal Amanda May told Tatom that they had named the east-west street running on Parkview schools' north side Phil Tatom Drive.
Tatom had no idea about the surprise. The campaign to name the street in Phil's honor was led by J.D. Hayes, whose children attended Parkview schools. Last month the North Lawrence school board approved the request after Hayes submitted a letter and a list with the names of more than 100 people supporting the proposal.
Tatom gets no monetary compensation for the tasks he performs.
This is his 24th year to volunteer at Parkview Intermediate. He has also volunteered at Parkview Primary and at Lincoln Elementary School. Hayes says he had dedicated his life to helping children, not only at the schools but as a regular volunteer at the Boys Club since the 60s.
Giving Tatom the award at the school's Veterans Day program also marked Tatom's service as a Vietnam War veteran. During his first mission into the bush, Tatom helped rescue a starving family. His tour in Vietnam was cut short when a careless soldier's grenade exploded, blowing off a considerable portion of Tatom's backside. Military doctors told him he would be restricted to a wheelchair, but he proved the doctors wrong.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.