Bridge City celebrated a special birthday Tuesday. Cedric Stout was honored for his 100th birthday which is on Sunday, November 7. Stout was born in Louisiana and is a resident of Bridge City since 1959.
The City Hall in Bridge City was filled with family and friends to honor Stout in recognition of his centennial birthday. County Commissioner Kirk Roccaforte who has served as mayor of Bridge City and Orange County Judge John Gothia who lives in Bridge City expressed their sentiments for Stout.
Roccaforte said it has been an honor to be able to attend several of these celebrations for Stout and hopes there are many more. Gothia added he too has had the privilege knowing Stout for many years. “We hope we see a hundred and one, a hundred and two. I’ve been coming to these for several years, and it’s just amazing to me, I hope I’m even close to be able to get around like you do at a hundred,” Gothia expressed to Stout.
Judge Gothia read a proclamation that the judge will officially present to Stout at the Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday next week. Bridge City Mayor David Rutledge also read a proclamation from the city honoring Stout and presented a framed copy of it to Stout.
After working with the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Stout joined the U.S. Navy and was aboard the USS Utah on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. The Utah was torpedoed and sunk, but Stout said he was able to walk over the hull of the ship as it capsized to survive the attack.
Rutledge gave Stout a gift with a framed photograph of the Utah. “That looks just like it. The two pictures I have are both just like that one. Well, thank you,” Stout thanked the mayor and all those in attendance. Cake and punch were then enjoyed by those in attendance.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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