Reception with Mayor and guests at local bookstore. Below: speaking to student body at football pep rally.
In September of 2001, Pine Tree High School in my hometown of Longview, Texas, presented me with their Distinguished Alumni Award at the annual Homecoming game. The fact that it took place not long after 9/11 made things a little tense, as the country was on edge and people were afraid to fly. My wife and children opted not to come from California out of safety concerns. However, it was still an occasion to remember, being honored on the same football field that I had marched on as a band member, a Pirate, all the way back in the mid 1960's. The year I graduated, 1968, my future employers had the number one show in America, the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. How could I have possibly known that our paths would cross! In addition to this honor, the mayor of Longview declared it Michael Preddy day which I did not expect. I am only sorry that my mother was not alive to see or at least know about it, and that my father was too ill to travel to the festivities. Without their sacrifice, none of my good fortune would have been possible. I am one lucky guy.