Photo by Katie Turpen
Freedom Award
U.S. Army Lt. Damon Holditch was presented the Freedom Award at the July Chamber luncheon sponsored by Regions Bank.
One Hoover resident spends each day helping veterans improve their lives. Recently, he was awarded for his service to the country and his community.
U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Damon Holditch was presented the Freedom Award at the July Chamber luncheon sponsored by Regions Bank.
“The words ‘impressive’ and ‘self-service’ don’t do him justice,” said Bob Beaty, chairman of the Hoover Veterans Committee, who presented Holditch the award.
The Freedom Award started in 2003, with the intention of recognizing some of Hoover’s most outstanding public servants who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of freedom.
Holditch and wife, who is a Hoover City Schools special education teacher, have four children. Holditch works for Grainger Industrial Supply helping veterans improve their work skills, and teaches sales management as an adjunct professor at UAB.
Additionally, Holditch was a member of the ROTC at Texas A&M University and served for 24 years in the U.S. Army.
“Two things I learned in Iraq are God answers prayers and leadership matters,” said Holditch.
Holditch thanked everyone in attendance and encouraged chamber members to consider hiring veterans at their local businesses.
“I challenge you all to not forget about the veterans,” Holditch said. “They are self-directed and well educated, work well under pressure and are service oriented. They make great employees. I encourage you to give them a shot.”
At the end of the luncheon, Holditch donated a book called Shooter to the Hoover City Council and Hoover Public Library. The book is a first person pictorial story about a soldier’s life serving in Iraq.
“I’m truly blessed to be in Hoover. I couldn’t imagine raising my children anywhere else,” Holditch said.
Applicants for the Freedom Award must be a role model in the Hoover community; have shown support for local, state, and federal government; promoted the ideals of freedom through this support; given long-term service to these ideals not just a one-time effort; and supported the U.S. military through either support to or service in the military. Each must be a Hoover resident, an City of Hoover employee or employee of a Hoover Chamber of Commerce member.
Past winners include Art Headley, Bob Mosca, Bill Natter, John O’Malley, A. C. Roper, General Robert Lott (Ret.), Albert Awtrey, Hollis Hayes, Hoover Police Lt. Trey Bass, current Hoover City Council member Rear Admiral John T. (Jack) Natter (Ret.), and last year’s winner Dan Mikos.
August luncheon
The Baptist Medical Center-Hoover will sponsor the Aug. 21 luncheon, and has asked John Archibald of The Birmingham News and al.com to speak.
Archibald’s column about politics and life across the metro area appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He graduated from of The University of Alabama in 1986 and came to The Birmingham News shortly thereafter. He is married with three children.
To attend this Chamber Luncheon, please make your reservations no later than DATE? by calling 988-5672, or emailing Lisa Dunbar at admin@hooverchamber.org. Networking begins at 11:15 a.m., with the meeting starting sharply at noon. The Luncheon is $20, or $22 for anyone without prior reservations, payable at the door. Hoover Country Club is located at 3140 Club Drive.
