The "hug lady" of Fort Hood, whose embrace boosted the spirits of thousands of American soldiers over nearly a decade as they shipped out for Iraq and Afghanistan, died Thursday, 24 December 2015. She was 83.
Laird was beloved by all the men and women who were deployed out of the Texas military base because rain or shine, never failing to send each one off with a hug as they left Killeen/Fort Hood Regional Airport.
Her kindness and love was felt by thousands of service men and women. Some estimates have her giving over 100,000 hugs since 2003. This action alone, show the true spirit of the American people, and should be recognized by our President with the highest level award available to a US citizen.