Lois and Brown Pulliam (center) are flanked by Col. Katrina Stephens and her husband (l) and Chief Master Sargent William C. Hebb and his family (r). Members of the Pulliam family stand at the rear, with State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) at the far left. – Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
Sizeable groups of Carleton-Willard Village residents gathered at the Main Entrance and at the Badger door to wish Lois and Brown Pulliam well as they set off for Bedford Day and their stint riding in the 2021 Bedford Day parade as Citizens of the Year. Then, more surprises were on tap.
Led by 2019 Citizen of the Year and Village resident Meredith McCulloch, nearly a dozen residents waited at the main entrance ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
Residents of Badger Terrace penned a heartfelt message of congratulations signed by many of the Pulliam’s neighbors ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
This year’s parade conveyance wasn’t the usual convertible, but rather an open-sided tram courtesy of the Bedford VA Medical Center. The tram’s additional capacity allowed a granddaughter and grandson along with their sons—the first two Pulliam great-grandsons, to ride in the parade. Three generations of the Pulliam’s family returned to town for Bedford Day along with multiple members of their extended family ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
Arriving at the reviewing stand, the Pulliams were escorted by Laurel Holland, the Bedford VA’s Director of Voluntary Services, and her associate Kevin Dougherty who celebrated his birthday on Bedford Day and was among the afternoon’s featured entertainers ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
A member of the League of Women Voters since her college days at the University of Kentucky, Lois was honored last December as a ‘Formidable Woman’ by the Massachusetts League. Lora Goldenberg and Bea Brunkhorst, marching to represent the Bedford League in the parade, stopped for a photograph ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
The Pulliams and Hanscom Air Force Base commander Colonel Katrina C. Stephens had a lot to talk about at the end of the parade. All three hail from Kentucky: Lois and the Colonel were born just over an hour east of Lexington in Estill County and Fleming County respectively, and Brown’s family comes from Paducah, much further to the west ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) remained to visit with the couple after the crowd departed ~ Image (c) JMcCT, 2021 all rights reserved, click image to see it at full size.
On Sunday afternoon both Pulliams claimed the parade and Bedford Day to have been wonderful fun.
I’m so happy to see Lois and Brown honored this way! And wonderful to see them with their extended family. -Sarah (Schwerin) Hooker
Ginni Spencer
September 21, 2021 8:16 am
Congratulations to Lois and Brown Pulliam — a worthy addition to the pantheon of citizen volunteers celebrated with the Citizen of the Year award. Lois and Brown have been an example to me during all of my life in Bedford (45+ years) not only for their commitment to our community but also for their evident joy in all that they undertake. Bedford is so fortunate to have them as part of our town. Well done!
Joe Damery
September 20, 2021 10:20 pm
a wonderful choice for Co-First-Citizens of Bedford for the year of 2021…. Over many. decades both Lois & Brown have given Time and Talent even as parents of growing children.. I among many have enjoyed several of Brown’s Letters in the Minute-Man addressing subjects of importance to the Welfare of our Town… Lois had for sure years of involvement into Subjects of Importance Also to her Gender & Town, and Country…. Their loyal attendance to Town-Meetings are a Record to Envy in and of itself… Bedford is so lucky to have been their choice of place to live and be ever active in Town affairs ….. God Bless them for many years to come….
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I’m so happy to see Lois and Brown honored this way! And wonderful to see them with their extended family. -Sarah (Schwerin) Hooker
Congratulations to Lois and Brown Pulliam — a worthy addition to the pantheon of citizen volunteers celebrated with the Citizen of the Year award. Lois and Brown have been an example to me during all of my life in Bedford (45+ years) not only for their commitment to our community but also for their evident joy in all that they undertake. Bedford is so fortunate to have them as part of our town. Well done!
a wonderful choice for Co-First-Citizens of Bedford for the year of 2021…. Over many. decades both Lois & Brown have given Time and Talent even as parents of growing children.. I among many have enjoyed several of Brown’s Letters in the Minute-Man addressing subjects of importance to the Welfare of our Town… Lois had for sure years of involvement into Subjects of Importance Also to her Gender & Town, and Country…. Their loyal attendance to Town-Meetings are a Record to Envy in and of itself… Bedford is so lucky to have been their choice of place to live and be ever active in Town affairs ….. God Bless them for many years to come….