Lubbock Honors Four Local Veterans Before Veterans Day

A luncheon recognized veterans of World War II and Vietnam, three of whom have died, ahead of Veterans Day.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Military

Wide, quiet view of a lone flagpole with a plain flag on flat West Texas grassland at dawn, under a pale gold sky. — Lubbock honored four local veterans, including three who have died, at a Friday luncheon ahead of Veterans Day recognizing their World War II and Vietnam-era service. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Lubbock veterans, community members, and city leaders gathered Friday at a luncheon at Texas Tech Federal Credit Union, near 79th and Milwaukee, to honor four local veterans. The honorees included Cpl. J.D. Davis, Otis Davis, Cpl. Florine Hill, and Eddie Randle.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the service of Lubbock residents from World War II and the Vietnam era, and three of the four honorees have died. The event underscores local efforts to remember veterans ahead of the national holiday.

Four Lubbock veterans were honored at the luncheon, and three of the four have died. The source does not specify how the honorees were selected or whether further recognitions are planned.

The players

Texas South Plains Honor Flight

A regional program that organizes trips to Washington, D.C., so veterans can visit memorials built in their honor.

KCBD

A Lubbock television station that broadcasts local news and community programming.

The details

Cpl. J.D. Davis was recognized for World War II service, including participation in the Red Ball Express, and Otis Davis also served in World War II. Cpl. Florine Hill was a member of the Six Triple Eight, the unit that sorted unclaimed mail, and Eddie Randle was honored for his service as a Vietnam helicopter pilot who received a Bronze Star.

Friday, November 6, 2026: Luncheon honoring four Lubbock veterans is held.
November 11, 2026: Texas South Plains Honor Flight Telethon airs on KCBD on Veterans Day.

Historical Context

Cpl. Florine Hill's recognition ties Lubbock's commemoration to the Six Triple Eight, the all-Black women's Army Postal Directory Battalion that sorted unclaimed mail in Europe during World War II. The honor places a local veteran within that documented wartime history.

Residents who wish to recognize veterans can watch the Texas South Plains Honor Flight Telethon on KCBD on November 11. The broadcast is aimed at supporting the honor flight program that takes local veterans to memorials in Washington, D.C.

The takeaway

Local recognition of veterans can keep the specific stories of individual service members, including members of wartime units like the Six Triple Eight, visible to the community. Residents can tune in to the Honor Flight Telethon on Veterans Day to learn more about the program.