Welcome to the Senior Spotlight! I’m your host, Gary Emmert, bringing you the latest news, stories, and insights specially curated for our senior community.

Every Saturday morning at 9:20am, we delve into the topics that matter most to you, from health and wellness tips to local events and national headlines. Whether you’re looking for thoughtful discussions, inspiring stories, or simply want to stay informed, Senior Spotlight is here to shine a light on the issues that impact your life.

Our top story: Welcome Home, Woody!

Georgetown Prepares to Honor a Fallen Hero

After 82 years listed as Missing in Action, 1st Lt. Charles W. “Woody” McCook is finally coming home. Georgetown, Texas, will host a solemn and celebratory homecoming on Saturday, August 2nd, as the remains of the World War II pilot are laid to rest with full military honors at the IOOF Cemetery.

Lt. McCook, a Southwestern University graduate and member of the famed “Flying McCook Family,” was killed in action on August 3, 1943, during a bombing mission over Burma. His skill and sacrifice were credited with saving the life of one surviving crew member, TSgt John Boyd, who later called Woody a “100% bonafide hero.”

The day will begin with a motorcycle procession of up to 100 veterans, departing VFW Post 8587 (1000 N College St) at 10:15am. Riders from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, American Legion Riders, Purple Heart Riders, Patriot Guard, and other veteran groups will escort Lt. McCook’s remains through the Courthouse Square, past Southwestern University, and onward to the cemetery.

To mark each year Lt. McCook was missing, the Georgetown Rotary Club’s Field of Honor Committee will line Highway 29 with 82 full-sized American flags—a powerful visual tribute to his long-awaited return.

The graveside service begins at 11:00am, with full military honors provided by Fort Hood, including a 21-gun salute and the playing of TAPS. Immediately following, the Falcon Formation Flight Team will perform a Missing Man Flyover, symbolizing the loss of a fellow aviator. A B-25 bomber from the CAF Devil Dog Squadron will also soar overhead, echoing the aircraft Lt. McCook once piloted.

To encourage community participation, VFW Post 8587 will distribute 500 American flags on the Square. Residents are invited to line the procession route and create a “sea of red, white, and blue” in honor of the sacrifice Lt. McCook made for his country.

The Williamson County Sun recently published a moving article detailing Lt. McCook’s story and the collaborative efforts behind this tribute. You can read it on their website.

This is more than a ceremony—it’s a moment of healing, remembrance, and unity. As Georgetown prepares to welcome home one of its own, the message is clear, heroes are never forgotten.

Discover CTC: Eagle Edition

Come on down for Central Texas College’s biggest event of the year!

The campus has rolled out the red carpet for our future Eagles. Discover CTC: Eagle Edition, our annual open house is happening right now until 1pm!

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• 🍰 Cake-cutting at 10 AM—because every celebration deserves something sweet
• 🎓 Meet-and-greets with instructors from every program and pathway
• 💸 On-the-spot guidance from our Admissions & Financial Aid experts
• 👕 Score a limited-edition 60th Anniversary tee at the CTC Bookstore
• 🚶‍♀️ Explore the campus on guided tours that show off our best spots
• 👗 Cheer on young designers at the College for Kids Fashion Show (12:30 PM)
• 🤖 Catch the Battle Bot showdown as our students put their custom-built machines to the test!

Let’s celebrate 60 years of CTC excellence—and YOUR journey ahead as an Eagle! 💙

News from Our Senior Centers

There are some exciting events happening at the Lions Club Park Senior Center in Killeen this week.

They will be hosting Bingocize with Britney at 10am on both Monday, July 21st and Friday, July 25th.

Also on Friday the 25th, Bingo for Groceries with the Women’s Army Crops Veterans’ Association. This event blends the joy of friendly competition with practical support, offering grocery-themed prizes while celebrating Veterans and active living.

The Killeen Civic and Conference Center will sparkle with mystery and elegance on Wednesday, July 24th at 4pm, as the highly anticipated Masquerade Ball invites seniors to don their finest attire and festive masks for an evening of celebration. In a special sit-down with Mayor Debbie Nash-King, she shared her excitement about the event, emphasizing its role in fostering connection, honoring creativity, and uplifting the vitality of the senior community.

The Lions Club Park Senior Center is located at 1700-B East Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen and they are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. Their phone number is (254) 501-6399 and you can view and download their Senior Scoop monthly newsletter by going to KilleenTexas.gov/seniors.

The Harker Heights Senior Activity Center invites energetic seniors to join in a rotating lineup of recreational games and activities designed to keep you active, engaged, and connected. Each month introduces something fresh and fun—and for July, it’s time to pick up a paddle and enjoy Pickleball! Sessions take place every Thursday from 11am to 12:45pm at the Harker Heights Recreation Center, located at 307 Miller’s Crossing. It’s a perfect chance to stay fit, have fun, and share good times with friends. For details, call (254) 953-5683.

In Copperas Cove the Senior Center is managed by the Hill Country Community Action Association.

The Hill Country Community Action Association is a dedicated nonprofit organization serving Central Texas through a broad spectrum of vital community programs. Their services include Case Management, Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Aging Services, Senior Nutrition, RSVP volunteer programs, and Head Start.

With help centers in Killeen and Temple, and ten Senior Centers across nine core counties, HCCAA empowers children, families, seniors living with disabilities, and individuals facing economic hardship. Their reach extends even further, with Head Start and Weatherization programs available across a 17-county area—making meaningful impact through both local support and regional outreach.

One of the communities they support and are headquartered out of is San Saba. Recently, the Hill Country region was struck by a devastating flood, leaving a profound impact on countless lives—especially in San Saba, one of the hardest-hit communities.

Families have been uprooted, homes and businesses severely damaged, and the emotional toll continues to ripple across the area. Yet in the midst of hardship, the spirit of unity and resilience shines through.

Now more than ever, they invite everyone to step up and offer support. Whether it’s through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or sharing words of comfort, every act of kindness helps light the path toward recovery. More information at HCCAA.com.

The Belton Senior Activity Center invites you to their monthly Potluck Dinner on Monday, July 28 at 5:30 PM, featuring a captivating World War II presentation by COL (Ret.) Renita Menyhurt. Her storytelling brings history to life, making for an engaging and meaningful evening shared with neighbors and friends. The center is located at 842 Mitchell Street in Belton. For more details, call (254) 939-1170 or explore their full July activity calendar at beltonseniorcenter.org.

And finally, the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum is hosting an incredible exhibit right now through September 13th.

First Fleet: NASA’s Space Program 1981–1986

A visually stunning exhibit that captures the early years of NASA’s revolutionary Space Shuttle era. Presented through the lens of a photographer whose passion for spaceflight was born in childhood, this collection provides a uniquely artistic and intimate view of one of humanity’s most ambitious technological endeavors.

From 1981 to 1986, NASA unveiled the first operational fleet of reusable spacecraft—Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis—ushering in a bold new chapter in space exploration. With rare access to Kennedy Space Center, the photographer spent five years chronicling behind-the-scenes moments and launchpad drama, producing evocative images that honor both the brilliance of aerospace engineering and the human commitment behind it.

Using handcrafted camera systems and pioneering computer technology, he portrayed the Shuttle orbiters as intricate and majestic creations—part science, part sculpture. The project was abruptly paused after the Challenger disaster in 1986, and the negatives remained untouched for over two decades. Brought back to life in 2013, these photographs now serve as a poignant time capsule—marking a historic turning point in American spaceflight.

More than a chronicle of missions, First Fleet celebrates the spirit of innovation and discovery that propelled the Space Shuttle program forward—from satellite deployments to sending America’s first female astronaut into orbit. It stands as a tribute not only to the people behind the missions, but also to the enduring dreams of a young boy who turned his fascination with the stars into lasting visual legacy.

For more information on this and everything happening in Temple, visit discovertemple.com.

Thank you for stopping by and we would love to see you every Saturday morning at 9:20am for the Senior Spotlight. And if you have any questions or would like to let us know about an event or news that would be of benefit to our listeners and followers, please visit our blog website at myKNCT.com/seniorreport.