Stone County veteran Harry Crawford celebrates 95 years

WXXV had the opportunity to speak with South Mississippian Harry Crawford, who’s lived an amazing life. Harry is a veteran, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great grandfather and soon he will be adding 95 years on earth to his accomplished resume.

“My father’s constant, steady. He has always been the rock. He’s been calm before the storm,” said Christine Cleary.

Crawford was born on October 10, 1929, in Lawrence, Kansas.

At just 18 years old, Harry decided to join the U.S. Air Force — where he’d serve for 25 years being part of both the Korean and Vietnam wars and earning 13 various military awards.

“The basic training was a little bit rough. Other than that just another day I guess,” said Crawford.

To celebrate Harry and his life are his seven children, 17 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. The family has grown so large that it’s even hard for Harry to believe.

“I can’t believe it but they’re there,” Crawford said.

“We got folks coming in from Las Vegas. I’m from Washington state. We got grand babies on the East Coast. Just putting everyone together in one place has just been a journey,” said Cleary.

It wasn’t easy to get all the family together but seeing multiple generations in one room was well worth it.

“There’s no words that I could ever explain. I’m just so grateful that she met him. They’re 90 years apart on the dot. That’s so uncommon and it’s just a wonderful feeling.”

Harry has lived so much life I had to ask what advice he’d give his younger self.

“No regrets for anything.”

I think we can all agree that being surrounded by family at 95 years old, Harry really did live life with no regrets.