The nation’s most decorated military officer has returned to Sioux City for another honor today. The Sioux Gateway Airport is being named in honor of Colonel Bud Day, a veteran and former prisoner of war in Vietnam. The 77-year-old retired Air Force Colonel holds 77 decorations and awards from his military service, but says today’s honor is different, as one is a recognition from the government, while the airport honor is like coming back to his family and having them say well done. Day arrived in Sioux City Thursday, and says it’s a great honor.Colonel Day is the most decorated military officer since General Douglas MacArthur, but he doesn’t like being called a hero.Day says he’s uncomfortable with the hero label because he always felt he was just doing his duty as he saw it. Day says there are events when Americans step forward and do what is necessary.He says the events of September 11th are an example of something that makes Americans stand up and fight. Day was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 and spent 67 months as a P-O-W. Today’s dedication ceremony will feature former presidential candidate Ross Perot as the guest speaker. Perot has been a long-time advocate for P-O-Ws in Vietnam.
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