Two Conroe World War II veterans who share a birthday will be honored during Sunday night’s Texans game.
Bob Putnam, 106, and George Waters, 103, will be recognized on field during a time out in the game. Putnam served in the U.S. Navy and Waters was drafted into the war and became a a B-17 gunner. Waters also was a prisoner of war.
“It’s really touching,” said Putnam’s daughter Jean Chancy. She looks forward to it being a very cool and interesting experience.
The Texans take on the Chicago Bears during a Sunday Night Football matchup. Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. The game will be shown on NBC.
Halftime honors for Conroe veterans
Aungelique Martinez, communications coordinator for the Texans, said the veterans will be honored on field during a time out in the first or third quarter.
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This year on their June 12 birthday, two Texans cheerleaders attended their birthday party with the Lone Star Honor Flight Wednesday breakfast group at the Poplar Business Park in Conroe.
A visit from the cheerleaders led to an invitation to this Sunday’s game.
Putnam’s daughter, Jean Chancy, said it’s even more special to share this honor with his good friend.
Putnam’s grandson is traveling from Kentucky to attend the game and he’ll be on the field with his grandfather when he’s recognized. She said the family follows the Astros and Texans. They’ll be on the first row Sunday night.
‘It’ll be really sentimental’
“It’ll be really special for him (my son.) He loves the Texans and is a fan,” Chancy said. “It’ll be really sentimental.”
Putnam, who lives in Conroe, was born on June 12, 1918 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He grew up during the Great Depression and he said his mother had a rough time raising he and his brother.
He was born during the Spanish Flu pandemic, but times were so tough he thought people were probably too focused on making a living to be concerned with the pandemic.
He worked for the Caterpillar equipment company making tanks and graders.
During World War II, he was informed he’d be of better use in the war effort making equipment with Caterpillar.
He eventually enlisted in the U.S. Navy much to the displeasure of his wife and company.
At 50 he became a high school teacher and when he retired at 70 from teaching school, he and his wife taught in an adult literacy program in two counties through the Rotary Club of Yoakum.
“The really have spent their life in service to people,” Chancy said. Putnam credits his many years to his hearty pioneer blood, his loving wife and good food they raised themselves.
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Waters was born in a small farming community in Wedowee, Alabama June 12, 1921.
Waters had just turned 21 and had been working at an aircraft repair shop in Alabama when he was drafted into the war. He would participate in training and tests in various locations, including in Las Vegas.
He served as a B-17 gunner. After flying 14 missions in 22 days, he was shot down on Feb. 22, 1944. His book, “No Thought for Tomorrow,” details his experiences, including when he had to bail from the B-17 as it fell apart and crashed during combat.
He was a prisoner of war for 15 months, losing 40 pounds during capture. After he returned to the US, he continued studies at Auburn University exploring his mechanical nature.
Veterans meet for fellowship at 104 Poplar Circle in Conroe at the Popular Business Park at 8 a.m. each Wednesday.
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