Drive-by parade surprises centenarian sailor
RICHMOND – Ted Thomas got the surprise of his life Sunday.
That afternoon, a procession drove by Thomas’ house near Ray County Lake to help the World War II Navy veteran celebrate his coming 100th birthday. Horns honked in celebration. Some parade participants displayed American flags. Others showed off congratulatory signs.
Family estimates put the procession total at 135 vehicles, not counting those of city, county and state first responders.
“I didn’t expect anything,” Thomas, who turned 100 Monday, said. “They kept this secret.”
The special event included a tribute to Thomas’ military service from fellow veterans. Veterans who attended included Jim Rippy, the inspector for VFW Post 4398 in Richmond; Bob Green, Thomas’ son-in-law; and nephews T.R. and Jerry Thomas.
“This is great,” Green said. “But I will say this: For us people that were local, it was kind of hard to keep it a secret from him.”
Sunday was not the first time Thomas has been part of a large-scale event. In…