Lambert was away, a telegram came from the Pentagon. Because Steve had top level clearance, he was allowed to respond on General Lambert’s behalf. “For it to come directly to General Lambert, it had to be a special case.” The telegram instructed him to report on the condition of a Lieutenant Kay Stafford from Vidalia, Georgia, and to follow up with reports to the Pentagon every four hours. “I was from Savannah and didn’t know anything about Vidalia, but I remembered his name.” Not long after Steve returned home, he was driving in Athens, Georgia, and as his Volkswagen topped a hill, he saw a man walking across the street with a seeing eye dog. “I was trying to avoid him and the dog, but the man somehow got tangled up and tripped. It scared me to death. I thought I’d somehow knocked him down. I jumped out of my car and ran to him, but he jumped up and stuck his hand out. He said, ‘Hi, I’m Kay Stafford.’ I said, ‘Well, I believe I know a little bit about you, Lieutenant Kay Stafford. Did you just get back from Vietnam? He said, ‘Yes, sir.’” Steve would later learn that it was U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge who had contacted the Pentagon on behalf of Kay Stafford’s family. Near the end of his time overseas, Steve decided to go for E6. When the promotion list came out, he was ranked first out of about 200 applicants. Since only one stripe had been assigned to give on Okinawa that month, Steve would be the only recipient, which would also make him the highest ranking enlisted person there who had not gone to NCO school. Later that night, a Colonel came to see him. “This man,” pointing to a man next to him, “was second on the list. He’s an E4 and has been in the Army for 18 years. He’s got three kids, and he needs that stripe to stay in.” Steve explained, “You can’t stay in the Army after 20 years unless you’ve earned E5. This guy was this Colonel’s aide. He had been with him for many years.” Even though Downtown Bistro Best wraps, sandwiches & desserts in town! 537.7727 101 E. Meadows St. Vidalia Gymnastics, Cheer & Dance 2606 Matthews Industrial Circle • Vidalia 912.538.1000 Join one of our year-round gymnastics or cheer tumbling classes or have fun at Flipping Friday. (Supervised open gym, Fridays 7-10 PM) See website for details: vidaliagymnastics.com Face 2 Face Global Hair Studio FULL SERVICE SALON hair • nails • facials • waxing • massages eyelash services & more! Our multicultural hair salon provides professional hair care and salon services. You’ll leave feeling pampered with a beautiful style, healthy color & natural glow. 118 E. Meadows Street, Vidalia 912.403.3302 F2fhairstudio.com Like Us! Face2Face Global Hair Studio 126 Toombs County Magazine
20204RD
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