Howard was so proud that there would be a VA cemetery close to his home. A month before he died he went to the VA office to see if this cemetery was finished or when it would be finished. He was so proud that he was eligible to be buried there and he wanted to make sure the VA office was aware of that. We kept saying that we would go look at it but he was never well enough after that to make the 40 mile trip.
Howard received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work after Hurricane Camille in Biloxi, MS. This medal was authorized by the secretary of the Air Force on March 28, 1958, for award to members of the armed forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after March 24, 1958, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique.
