WWII veteran honored with street renaming in Thomson
THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - On Thursday, the corner of National Avenue and Church in Thomson became Louis Graziano Avenue.
Graziano is the last survivor to World War II’s Articles of Surrender in Reims, , with the Germans to end the war in Europe.
He worked directly with then-Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.
The street sign is a much bigger picture of not only his dedication to our country, but to his friends and neighbors across the CSRA.
The street name may be new but the story behind the name is one that never gets old for the people lucky enough to hear it from the man himself.
At age 101, he is living history - and Thomson’s hometown hero.
He stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. He witnessed the Articles of Surrender in with the Germans to end the war in Europe.
Augusta Boxing Club, Paceline partner together to knock out cancer
Augusta Boxing Club ed in the efforts of helping with cancer research ahead of PaceDay in October.
He’s seen events most of us only read about in our history books.
One thing he never thought he’d see is Louis Graziano Avenue.
“I didn’t expect to see that, but it was great to see them put my name up there on that street,” he said.
The renaming ceremony brought the entire town together: city officials, the mayor, military officials, the high school JROTC.
The World War II veteran has several honors to his name, but this one might take the cake.
“I think that it’s a great honor that they did this for me. I appreciate it,” said Louis.
Peggy Lovejoy, a family friend, said: “I want them to take away the fact that this was a man that served his community and served his country and did both very well with no complaints.”
He’s a hero to many, but to his family, he’s Papa Lou.
Graziano’s daughter was glad to see the recognition from the community he has given so much to.
Matthew Graziano, Louis’ grandchild, said: “Before I knew him for his war stories, he was always Papa to me and my cousins and brothers, and you know, he’d always sit in the chair and say, ‘Come on bud, hop up’. And then sit in his lap.”
Ga. athletes breaking barriers through adaptive sports
A group of Georgia athletes are breaking barriers through adaptive sports, playing for fun, for community ... and making a statement at the same time.
The best memories of Papa Lou aren’t just his war stories.
Gavin Taylor, his great-grandchild, said: “Christmas time for sure, just him cooking the spaghetti. It’s just awesome, going to his house and hanging out with him, spending time with him, asking about everything.”
It wasn’t until after the war that Louis planted his roots in Thomson.
“I just never would have thought that my great grandfather got a street named after him in Thomson, Georgia, where I grew up,” said Taylor. “It means the world. I look up to him so much.”
Matthew said: “To be able to down to my kids and grandkids and great grandkids about how great of a man that that America’s had, that this town’s had.”
Now, his legacy will live on forever.
Louis’ family says he never really talked about the war until after his book came out several years ago.
His granddaughter says growing up he would write notes on torn pieces of paper and put the pieces in a box. She says he used all of those notes over the years to put his book together.
The Thomson City Council voted in July to approve the street renaming.
John Waller, Thomson city , said: “He’s been recognized by from America. He’s got citations from all over the world, but the city of Thomson had never done anything permanent for him. So, when the request came, it just seemed like it’s something whose time had come.”
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
