By Jacob Brooks
The Daily News
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“He puts the needs of others before his own,” said the Rev. Pat Collum, a local Catholic priest. “It’s who he is.”
Collum and other pastors, representing the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations that make up much of Bogalusa’s Christian community, were the keynote speakers during the filled every seat at the Bogalusa Country Club. Some said it was the largest-attended Citizen of the Year reception in the history of the 50-year program.
Dr. Whit Gallaspy accepts a Citizen of the Year commemorative plate from The Daily News General Manager Sandy Cunningham during a reception at the Bogalusa Country Club Tuesday.
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Gallaspy, 49, a Bogalusa native and doctor at LSU Bogalusa Medical Center was voted the 2008 honoree by previous recipients of the award during a selection committee two weeks ago. Nominees for the award are chosen by the public.
The traditional reception was filled with song, food and a collection of gifts for the recipient. But Gallaspy pushed for the occasion to be more than just an event recognizing himself, and to that end, he asked area pastors to speak about service to others.
Gallaspy wanted this as a platform for more people to attend and be involved in their churches and community, said the Rev. Scott Norwood, the pastor at Superior Avenue Baptist Church, where the doctor is a member.
Norwood told the audience a humorous anecdote and talked about Gallaspy’s service and compassion.
“Because of his service, he is a worthy recipient of our Citizen of the Year,” Norwood said.
All the pastors displayed a similar message: Gallaspy lives by strong Christian values, and others are encouraged to live by those same values.
“We are all called to service,” said the Rev. Phil Stagg, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church. There are plenty of organizations that anyone can be involved in, Stagg said, naming the Bogalusa Help Center and Habitat for Humanity as examples.
Dr. Alan Einsel, a local Methodist preacher, challenged people to go out and do their best in the community.
Another speaker, LSU BMC CEO Kurt Scott, said the 2008 top citizen is one of the most dependable employees at the hospital, where Gallaspy has worked for 20 years and is the head doctor at the OB/GYN “Special Beginnings” clinic.
During his acceptance remarks, Gallaspy thanked his family for their support and The Daily News for organizing the annual award. He said he wasn’t the best student in school growing up, but he praised his community for molding him into the man he is today.
He said he accepted the award with great humility and gratitude on behalf of all people who have served their community, whether they were recognized or not.
Gallaspy, lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, served in Afghanistan for several months in 2008, returning in time for the opening of “Special Beginnings,” the first infant delivery unit open in Washington Parish in a decade.
Gallaspy and his wife, Stacy, have four children: Connor, 12, Caitlyn, 12, Marianna, 9, and Molly, 3.
Both of Gallaspy’s parents are previous Citizen of Year winners — John Gallaspy in 1965 and Dixie Gallaspy in 1983. Both parents, along with two brothers, attended the reception. Dozens of people took turns congratulating Gallaspy for about an hour after the ceremony, and wishing him well for being a model citizen.
“If we had more people like Whit Gallaspy, it would be a very different place indeed,” Collum said.
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