WWII veteran Major Wooten presented French Legion of Honor for 105th birthday
By ERIN COGGINS
MADISON – When it comes to birthdays, Madison resident Major Wooten knows how to celebrate. After all, Dec. 3 was his 105th one.
To honor this milestone birthday, Wooten’s granddaughter Holly McDonald arranged for some special honors at his birthday party, including the French Legion of Honor for his service to France in World War II. Wooten, a railway mechanic for the Army when American troops landed in France to help the Allies defeat Germany, was responsible for repairing tanks, trucks and hospital cars in order to keep the front lines supplied.
The French Legion of Honor is typically reserved for French citizens, but is sometimes awarded to foreign nationals, like World War II soldiers, who have served France or the ideals it upholds. The French Counsul General to the American Southeast Vincent Hommeril presented Wooten with the medal on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Mr. Wooten, you are a true hero,” Hommeril said. “Your example gives us inspiration for the future, and your legacy provides a moral compass for generations to come.”
The French Consulate’s Office reached out to McDonald about filling out an application for the honor in February. She submitted the application in March and just received word from the Consulate’s Office a week and a half before the birthday celebration.
“We quickly changed his party date which was initially planned for Dec. 4,” McDonald said. “Luckily everyone involved was able to work with the rushed details and we were able to pull it off. We told Major over Thanksgiving as a family as we wanted him to know beforehand that he was receiving the honor.”
Although this was a birthday celebration, McDonald planned a variety of recognitions of Wooten’s World War II service as part of the celebration. She nominated Wooten for a Flags of Honor flag as well. The flag, presented to Wooten at the party, was designed to include his three brothers as well as Wooten, all served in WWII. One of the three brothers perished in the war.
“Jim Lynch with Flags of Honor saw Major at a Bob Jones football game. Knowing his age and that he was a WWII veteran, Jim asked if I would fill out an application for his flag which would mainly tell about his service,” McDonald said. “They made his flag in a matter of weeks to make it happen for him. It was beautiful workmanship. He loved it.”
Wooten was also honored with Rep. Mike Ball’s reading of a proclamation from Gov. Kay Ivey, citing his heroic service and guests were entertained by a performance of a song written personally about Wooten by Nashville songwriter Wood Newton in partnership with Freedom Sings.
“Wood and Major met about a month ago to write the song,” McDonald said. “Knowing how well they got along, I reached out to Wood who lives in Nashville and he gladly drove back down to sing his song for his birthday.”
Wooten was in the hospital with heart failure in April 2020 and also battled COVID in 2021, so his 105 birthday celebration deserved the extra mile. Besides the special guests, McDonald decorated the hall at Mt. Zion Church with photos and memorabilia of Wooten’s service and his life, including his love for Alabama football. McDonald feels like the task was an easy one for the Pop Pop she loves.
“I spent all 47 years of my like knowing this man, how special he is and what he is made of,” McDonald said. “He is full of love, concern and care for his family and friends. He exists today for his family. To know him is to love him. I could not be more proud to call him my Pop Pop.”
“After the honors, guests were invited to partake in a cake decorated with Wooten’s service photos. Wooten sliced the cake while showing his lovable personality to the 150 guests present to celebrate with him. Wooten just took it all in.
“What did I do to deserve all of this?” Wooten said.
Oh, and his wish when he blew out the cake.
“To be here for 106,” Wooten said.
