Even family members of Tallulah resident Rufus Puckett admitted it wasn’t easy to keep track of the birthday wishes pouring in over the weekend as generations of family members celebrated their patriarch’s 101st birthday at Ameristar Vicksburg.

“We know we’re not going to have him for another 101 years, but right now we want to savor every moment and show him much love,” Puckett’s daughter Linda Newman said. “I just want to say that we do love him and if you have parents alive, please honor them.”

In addition to family, friends from Tallulah were in attendance Saturday. They included resident Freddie Carter, known to locals as “Birdman” for his homemade birdhouses, which are often presented to groups and individuals on special occasions.

“I’ve been wanting to do this one,” Carter said. “I went to Thomastown (High School) with a lot of (Puckett’s) kids. The last few months, I’ve been taking my time out in my shop doing this.”

Representatives from both Ameristar and other local organizations were also in attendance Saturday and said not only should Puckett’s century-plus of life be honored when he officially turns 101 on Aug. 8, but so should his military service during World War II.

“There’s nothing more important than representing the people who have served in the military,” Ameristar General Manager Maureen Waslowski said. “To me, it’s passing on the importance of what these people sacrificed, especially Mr. Puckett. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy birthday and we hope that you have 101 more.”

Patty Mekus, executive director of the Southern Heritage Air Museum (SHAF) – which focuses on World War II history and is  located at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport – said she has gotten to know Puckett and his family during her years heading up the program. Following renovations completed this year, the museum now boasts a display in his honor. 

“It’s such an honor to get to know Mr. Puckett throughout the years,” Mekus said. “Just getting to know the family has been a special treat for us. It’s been an honor to share some of the stories that Mr. Puckett has told us at the museum. He’s on a trading card that we give out to people who come to visit.”

Mekus said being able to further SHAF’s mission of sharing WWII history, while also honoring a local veteran, is a rare treat.

“Saying thank you to a veteran is always a great thing to do, but really being able to show them your appreciation and just go that extra mile for them, because they went way more than the extra mile for each and every one of us, is just an honor and a privilege.”

Last week, City of Tallulah Spokesperson Yvonne Lewis sent out her own tribute to Puckett in a post on Facebook from Doug’s IGA in Tallulah, where the pair ran into one another.

“Y’all say hello to my good friend Mr. Rufus Puckett,” she wrote in the post. “WWII vet and a cool 100 years old! Still in his right mind. Still driving. Still straight. Won’t He Do It!”