MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 Years Ago — 1995

Washington – Early Thursday an Air Force F16 pilot over northwest Bosnia heard the familiar voice of a lost comrade crackle on the radio: “Hey, it’s Basher 52,” said Capt. Scott F. O’grady, using his code name. They were the first words from him since his plane was shot down six days earlier. A little more than four hours later, four helicopters and several fighters swarmed in response. O’grady, wet, filthy and hungry, wearing a helmet and flight jacket and waving a pistol, ran out of the mountainous woods into the arms of Col. Martin Berndt. The strapping Marine hauled him aboard a giant CH53 helicopter. The flier collapsed, smiling, as the force lifted off, evaded two Serb-fired missiles and headed for the Adriatic Sea. “I’m ready to get the hell out of here,” he said.

50 Years Ago — 1970

Nashville – An East Tennessee legislator has announced plans to submit a bill that would require the appointment of at least one woman to the 19-member University

of Tennessee Board of Trustees. Rep. Victor Ashe (R-knoxville) said if he is re-elected he and Representative Frances Doyle (D-nashville) will co-sponsor the bill. 75 Years Ago — 1945

General Simon Bolivar Buckner has sent a surrender demand to the Japanese commander on Okinawa as the American final offensive has begun. The American attack there has opened with victories along the front, which is six miles long.

100 Years Ago — 1920

The Piggly-wiggly Company, a Memphis concern, now conducts self-service grocery stores in most of the leading cities of the United States.

125 Years Ago — 1895

The kinetophone is the name decided upon by Thomas A. Edison for his latest contrivance. It is a combination of the well-known kinetoscope and the phonograph, and it gives a sound as well as action.

JEFF MCADORY B. B. King enjoys a laugh after lunch at the home of Minnie Belle Mills on Hannah Avenue in Indianola, Mississippi, June 9, 1984. Later that evening he performed at the Mary Shepard Farm, south of Indianola. The annual B. B. King Blues Festival celebrates King who became a living blues legend since leaving Sunflower County's cotton fields about 1946 headed for Memphis. Born Riley King on a cotton plantation between Indianola and Itta Bena on September 16, 1925, he was later dubbed B. B. short for “Blues Boy.”