Every morning Russell Hudson raises the American flag outside the courthouse in Liberty. He volunteered for the job years ago because the “law” would only do it once a month. “Some of the policemen around here are only worth 15 cents with 5 cents rubbed out,” Hudson said.
Hudson is an 83-year-old retired, disabled American veteran. He was discharged from the Army in 1930 because of intestinal trouble. He has strong feelings toward the flag and country and believes they are things worth defending.
“I’d rather be dead than to live under a dictator,” he said. “You won’t see me going to Canada.”
Hudson and Eunice, his wife of 55 years, moved to Liberty in 1969 after his retirement as Windsor’s postmaster They wanted to be closer to stores, the hospital and doctors. Eunice died in August 1987.
He says living by himself is lonely, but it hasn’t stopped him from leading an active life. Just about any time of day he can be seen walking around Liberty visiting friends or neighbors. He says if he just sits around the house and does nothing, he’ll die within three months.
Another reason he walks so much is because he has never had a driver’s license.
“I don’t own a car because I can’t see to drive,” he explains. He memorized an eye chart to get into the Army in 1922 at the age of 17.
Every night Hudson can be found at home reading the Bible. He describes himself as a simple man, a patriotic American who has a strong sense of God and country. Freedom and Liberty means everything to him.