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Georgia columnist Darrell Huckaby finishes off a yell with a "Whoop!" Monday evening after giving a presentation in the MSC Flagroom. Huckaby responded to more than 2,000 e-mails he received from Aggies after writing an article about an Aggie Army captain who recently returned from Iraq.

More than 80 people gathered in the MSC Flagroom Monday evening to listen to syndicated Georgia columnist Darrell Huckaby speak. Huckaby recently wrote an article about an Aggie Army captain who had just returned from Iraq. Huckaby subsequently received around 2,000 e-mails from Aggies who wanted to thank him, many inviting him to come and experience A&M firsthand.

Columnist earns Aggie affection

By: Calli Turner

Posted: 7/1/08

"I repeat…Howdy!"

Darrell Huckaby said to a crowd of about 80 students, former students, wives, moms, children - Aggies.

Huckaby said he is a schoolteacher, but it's not his classroom lectures that brought a University of Georgia graduate to the MSC Flagroom Monday.

Huckaby writes a syndicated column that runs in about 15-20 Georgia newspapers. On April 19, his column featured Paul and Laura Fleming, both class of 2003.

Huckaby said he was having a bad day while visiting Jekyll Island with his family. He encountered the Flemings leaving the Sweet Shoppe, and was overcome by their dedication to their country and their University.

Paul Fleming had returned from serving his second tour in Iraq. The Flemings had two small children in tow - 3 1/2 years old and 18 months old.

"I didn't learn the name of the young hero in the Texas A&M baseball cap and I didn't want to steal any more of his time. I simply said, 'Well God bless you all. Thank you for your service,' and started on my way. His young wife, however, reached out and touched my arm," Huckaby said.

"We knew what we signed on for," Laura Fleming said, "And as hard as it is, it's worth it. It has to be done."

Huckaby said he was so moved by the family and Laura Fleming's comments that he wrote the article and saved it for the Sunday column.

He received more than 2,500 e-mails from all over the world after the column ran.

"Usually I have five to six e-mails so I thought my computer had a virus," he said.

Bob Foley, class of 1969, was one of the first to respond.

Foley has breakfast Friday morning with his fellow classmates and the column was the big discussion the following gathering.

"We wanted to hear what he had to say and thank him for his gracious comments and the publicity he brought the community," Foley said.

Mike Caudle, class of 1969, and a fellow breakfast attendee, corresponded with Huckaby and the Memorial Student Center to coordinate Huckaby's visit.

"I was quite impressed that an outsider who knew nothing about A&M wrote an article about us," Caudle said.

Before the column, Huckaby said he only knew of the University through a tuba an A&M student was selling on Ebay.

"I called him on the phone and said, son, I'll buy your trumpet, but why are you selling it?" he said.

I need beer money, the Aggie replied.

"I drove by the Dixie Chicken and now I know where my tuba money is," Huckaby said with a laugh.

However, Huckaby said he's fully aware of Aggieland now.

"Boy, howdy! Now I know what people are talking about," he said.

Huckaby arrived in Aggieland Monday and spent the day eating a brisket lunch, getting a visual tour of campus from the top of Rudder Tower and visiting with students. His visit to the Flagroom was capped of with an impromptu yell practice with three yell leaders, coordinated by MSC President Nick Petree.

Petree, a senior marketing major, said that Huckaby's visit was unofficial and gained wind the same way the column did - e-mail, the Aggie hotline and word of mouth.

"It made its way to people that could host it," Petree said.

Huckaby grew up in Porterdale, Ga., and has a wife, Lisa, and three children. Two of his children followed in his footsteps at the University of Georgia.

But despite his heritage, Huckaby has a new place in his heart.

"You have a new member of your family - whether I'm an adopted member or not - because I have so much respect for your patriotism," he said.

As for the Flemings, Huckaby said he will be visiting them next week to tell them about his trip.