MT. JULIET, Tenn. -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen proclaimed it "Capt. Barry Wilmore Day" in the state, and numerous dignitaries presented the former Golden Eagle linebacker with a variety of honors when the NASA Astronaut spoke at his high school Friday.
Wilmore came home Friday morning to thunderous applause from the
student body, family, friends and local government officials at an
assembly in his honor held at the Mt. Juliet High School
gymnasium.
Capt. Wilmore is a 1981 graduate of Mt. Juliet High were he played
football, baseball and wrestled. He attended Tech where he joined
the Golden Eagle football program as a walk-on and eventually
earned induction into the TTU Sports Hall of Fame.
On Friday, he was presented proclaimations from State Senator Mae
Beavers and State Rep. Susan Lynn and the key to the city by Mt.
Juliet mayor Linda Elam. Several Tennessee Tech administrators were
also on hand, including University President Dr. Bob Bell and
Director of Athletics Mark Wilson.
Wilmore presented Governor Bredesen a Tennessee state flag (photo
below) that he took on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Gov.
Bredesen in turn told Wilmore that today -- Friday, Dec. 11 had
been proclaimed "Capt. Barry Wilmore Day" across the state in his
honor.
Note: Special thanks to Tommy Bryan of the Wilson Post for
providing photos and information from Friday's event.
