By Corey Cole
On behalf of Sulphur Public Schools, we would like to introduce and honor one of our Hometown Heroes: Mr. Donald “Ducky” Day
Ducky was joined to be honored at the gym by his wife, Clarinda Day, son, Kevin Day, daughter, LaCrinda Howard, son-in-law Marlin Howard, and granddaughter Brittany Winn.
Ducky joined the Army National Guard in 1960 at the age of 17. He made the Rifle Team and competed against other National Guard Units. He made it to the finals in the state competition in March 1961.
Ducky joined the Navy in June 1961, in an era when it was still safe to hitchhike from Long Beach, California to Sulphur, which he actually did a few times. He knew could get home faster by hitchhiking than he could by riding the bus.
Ducky Day served on the USS Hornet CVS 12 for three years. He did two tours overseas which included: Hawaii, Yokosuka, Japan, Okinawa, Formosa, Hong Kong, Phillipines, and Taiwan.
Ducky was awarded:
• U.S. Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal
• U.S. National Defense Medal, Taiwan National Defense Medal
• Taiwan Badge of Honor.
During his Navy years, Ducky was fortunate to be one of five chosen to rodeo with The Casey Tibbs Wild West Show for a week in Japan. He recalls that it was quite an experience.
Ducky’s dad, three brothers, and eleven uncles all served in the United States Military.
Mr. Donald Day is also known to many as Coach Day, as he taught school and coached at Sulphur Public Schools for many years.