Do you have any memories of Elizabeth Laird, 'The Hug Lady'?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 20:54:29 -0500

With the deepest regrets, I send my condolences to Elizabeth Laird "Hug Lady" family and to many of the Armed Forces Service Members she touched and hugged. It was special to get a hug in July 2013 heading to Afghanistan and coming back in January 2014 from Robert Gray Army Airfield in Killen Texas. I was stationed with the 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division. It touched me because she was there to give me that comfort and she will be missed. Here are a couple of pictures I took back in July 2013 upon departure to Afghanistan.

Elizabeth Laird 'The Hug Lady' Passes Away

Posted: Dec 24, 2015 5:05 PM EST

Updated: Dec 24, 2015 6:13 PM EST

COPPERAS COVE – Elizabeth Laird ‘The Hug Lady’ passed away Thursday at Metroplex Hospital.

Laird made it her mission to hug every single soldier as they boarded planes to deploy and waited with a hug when they returned to welcome them home.

She was 83 years-old.

Services are pending with Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Copperas Cove.
by Taboola

Response by SGT Ronnie Warford made Dec 24 at 2015 8:57 PM

SGT Ronnie Warford — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 20:57:58 -0500

Rest in peace ! It was an honor you hugged me and I know your looking down on us and smiling. God bless you Miss Laird

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 24 at 2015 8:58 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 20:58:27 -0500

While I never personally met Ms. Laird I have read much about her and always did admire her for what she did. Thanks for sharing and she will be missed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 8:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 20:58:54 -0500

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL So sorry to hear this. She hugged deploying troops for 12 years. It's estimated she hugged 500,000 troops.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 9:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:09:25 -0500

Too many hugs to count from her during my time at Hood. She was a Patriot and a great American. Rest in Peace ma'am.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 24 at 2015 9:11 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:11:55 -0500

Sorry to hear this. It sounds like she was a great person.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Dec 24 at 2015 9:12 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:12:24 -0500

She is what I'd call a "Hero". I don't use the word lightly, but she took her time to dedicate herself to us. It didn't matter what branch or rank you were, to her we we ALL somebodies. I hope when she has that conversation with St. Pete, there is a long formation of troops she's touched to escort her in. RIP ma'am.
"For all those who've been down range, to us, and those like us -- damn few left". You'll ALWAYS be one of us.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 24 at 2015 9:13 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:13:25 -0500

I was never honored to be hugged by her, but have read several times of what she did and what she meant to soldiers. She will never be forgotten!

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Dec 24 at 2015 9:25 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:25:00 -0500

This lady was a saint in my eyes and reminds me during Christmas of true kindness.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 9:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:29:10 -0500

My Condolences to the family. My Heart aches and i'm sadden by this news. She truly was a special lady and she will forever hold a special place in my heart. I guess God need a new greeter for the Soldiers being called HOME!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 9:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:48:55 -0500

Yes! This is sad news! That hug she always gave before and after we returned!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 24 at 2015 10:06 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 22:06:25 -0500

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I do not have any personal memories of Elizabeth Laird "Hug Lady." But from all the accounts I have read about her actions, I expect that thousands of service men and women, veterans and their families are both grateful for what she has done and are mourning her passing.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Dec 24 at 2015 10:09 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 22:09:26 -0500

Bless this lady - A true "Patriot and Hero"! How could you not love this woman!

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Dec 24 at 2015 10:46 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 22:46:30 -0500

Ft Hood has always been a hard place. It's nice to know there was someone who cared.

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Dec 24 at 2015 11:10 PM

SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 23:10:27 -0500

I remember hearing about her and others like her from some friends. I attended a few prior to retiring.
There is a group of people that attend every departure and return at the Fort Hood airfield.
As a person that returned from several deployments alone it is a very nice jester.

Response by PO3 Nathaniel Weber made Dec 24 at 2015 11:35 PM

PO3 Nathaniel Weber — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 23:35:36 -0500

Such a simple act of kindness during such an uncertain time, amazing how much of an effect it can have on us. Sad that she is gone, but imagine all of the service members lives she touched, they will never forget her.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 25 at 2015 1:06 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 01:06:39 -0500

Never been hugged by her; but what a precious lady she is. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Dec 25 at 2015 3:24 AM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 03:24:22 -0500

I send my condolences to Elizabeth Laird's family. May she rest in peace gone but never forgotten.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 3:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 03:57:26 -0500

God bless her. She was there when I deployed and redeployed in 2010-2011. Always a warm smile and hug.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 25 at 2015 8:19 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 08:19:38 -0500

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL She was there when my unit deployed to Iraq in 2007 and also there when we returned in 2008. Thank you for sharing. Sad loss.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 9:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 09:22:19 -0500

It's truly sad to see her go. I have received hugs from her and she truly loved the soldiers

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 25 at 2015 9:36 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 09:36:13 -0500

I passed through her Arms after, and then before my wife 10 times since being stationed in 1st CAV 2005. It was awkward the first time, but welcomed on the way home. She was a tough lady with a heart of gold.
Some of us joked, the object was an even number of hugs....until the first time, one of ours missed the return hug.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made Dec 25 at 2015 9:44 AM

SGT Chris Hill — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 09:44:57 -0500

She was an amazing lady, when I deployed the first time she told me I had the prettiest eyes and I'll make any girl feel lucky haha. I'll never forget that!

Response by SGT Kristin Myers made Dec 25 at 2015 2:57 PM

SGT Kristin Myers — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 14:57:34 -0500

I truly believe she passed on Christmas Eve because she was an angel on earth. Now it is her turn to receive a hug from those upstairs. I received 2 hugs from her and still, to this day, have the Soldiers Psalm in my wallet. Rest well Mrs. Laird.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Dec 25 at 2015 7:51 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 19:51:18 -0500

Never had the opportunity to have met this wonderful lady as I was never stationed at Ft. Hood, but she definitely is worthy of the title Hero for all that she did for so many of my brothers and sisters in arms. There is a special seat reserved for her in "Fiddler's Green" and one day I shall be able to meet her and hug her, may she Rest In Peace!!

Response by SPC Suzanne Hernandez made Dec 25 at 2015 9:01 PM

SPC Suzanne Hernandez — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 21:01:36 -0500

Rest in peace, Ma'am, you were a true blessing.
You will be missed.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Dec 26 at 2015 12:29 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 00:29:54 -0500

I never met her but I do have fond memories of a bunch of hug ladies and men with cell phones at the Portland Maine airport.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 8:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 08:11:15 -0500

My sincere condolences to the family! She was there for me 2011-2012 from my Iraq/Kuwait deployment. True hero is now an angel watching over us! God bless you!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 8:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 20:12:07 -0500

Got four hugs and a story from her, was a total sweetheart and she will be missed

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:49:51 -0500

She had unconditional love and was sincere in every hug she gave, she loved every soldier to leave Fort Hood, I received 8 hugs from this amazing woman, she was so special to us troops and will be missed. Fort Hood should dedicate and name the terminal after her, may she rest in piece.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Dec 28 at 2015 2:49 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:49:26 -0500

Very sad to hear this. I have hugged her on numerous occasions at Ft. Hood. She will be missed. RIH sweet lady.

Response by SGT Michael Fry made Dec 29 at 2015 10:26 PM

SGT Michael Fry — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 22:26:36 -0500

It is a sad time in this world. She was one of a kind. I had three tours out of hood and got hugs before and after each. It was I way to know when you got him. You where really home when you got that hug after deployment. She should have something on post named after her. Be it the deployment center or a mess hall or the flight terminal we left from. She has earned that respect from all of us.