JACKSON - Thomas Hamill's escape from his Iraqi captors is still the dominant topic of conversation in shops around Macon and among leaders in the small east Mississippi community.
Macon Mayor Dorothy Baker Hines said Wednesday that town officials are pushing ahead with plans for a big parade celebrating freedom for one of their own.
Hamill, a contract truck driver for a Halliburton subsidiary, escaped his captors Sunday. He has been treated since Monday at a western Germany facility for a wounded arm. His wife, Kellie, joined him in Germany on Wednesday.
Macon, a town of about 2,500, has held nightly prayer vigils since Hamill's capture. The meetings outside the courthouse continue, with organizers saying it is still important to pray for the troops and others held captive in Iraq.
While Hamill's capture and his dash to freedom attracted national attention, his plight has the greatest impact at home. During the weeks he was missing, yellow ribbons and American flags went up across Macon.
"Actually, I am overwhelmed, just the idea of someone coming from such a small town with such a big heart, to even take out an attempt to free himself is remarkable," said Damon Clark, a barber at Patch of Blue Salon of Beauty.
"We are going to support him when he gets home," Clark said.
Phyllis Hamill, Thomas Hamill's mother, said Wednesday that her son had told his wife that he really didn't want a parade that was strictly in his honor.
"He told Kellie he would be reluctant about something like that because there were others over there still being held and he didn't want it getting back over there that he was welcomed like some type of hero," Phyllis Hamill said. "He was afraid it might hurt the situation."
She said her son had indicated he might go along with a parade after the family had time to adjust to his return and if it "celebrated answered prayer."
Kellie Hamill had made daily appeals for her husband's release. She joined him in Germany on Wednesday and officials said the couple could be back home in Macon late in the week.
Hines said residents in her town are "still on cloud nine," since they learned Hamill was safe. "We are thrilled. We've got to give thanks to the Lord."
She said a number of volunteers were helping plan the parade and that an organizational meeting was being held Wednesday.
There were indications the parade might be put off until later in the month.
Janet Guyton, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where the Hamills attend, said she's heard several different ideas for the celebration.
"We've heard the governor is coming, and someone said Hank Williams Jr. might be coming. You know he sings that song 'A country boy can survive,"' she said.
The Associated Press contacted Williams' representatives, who said they haven't been approached about doing the parade.
Patricia Lewis, a hair stylist, said she doesn't know if Macon has ever seen so much excitement.
Clark, who is originally from Chicago, said the media hype is incredible.
"People here rarely … even get a representative to come speak, much less have CNN come to town, and all these big radio and TV stations," Clark said.
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