We have a true hero in our midst.

On Nov. 29, 1966, eight freezing and terrified men were huddled on the forward deck of the grounded ship Nordmeer in rough seas, a blinding snowstorm, and gale-force winds with their window of survival rapidly closing.

Suddenly, out of this horrible tempest a Coast Guard helicopter appeared. For two and a half hours, the pilot had flown through dangerous and deteriorating weather conditions to rescue the crew. For 22 minutes he maintained perfect position to accomplish the rescue of the crew just minutes before the ship broke in half.

The pilot, who later received the Distinguished Flying Cross for this remarkable feat, is Lonnie Mixon. Two years later, while serving as a Rescue Crew Commander in southeast Asia, Mixon again exhibited outstanding heroism on two different missions under intense enemy fire to rescue downed airmen. For these actions he received a second Distinguished Flying Cross and a Silver Star.

In all, he flew 395 combat hours and made 10 combat “saves,” all under the most hostile conditions. A short list of his honors would include 11 Air Medals, a Presidential Citation and recognition as the first Coast Guardsman inducted into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor.

Having had the honor to serve as Historian General of the United States for several years, I am fortunate to have met a number of Medal of Honor and Silver Star recipients and other decorated heroes of three wars. To a person they are humble and quiet and feel a bond to each other and an understanding that many, many more of their peers who performed equal or greater acts and gave “the last full measure of devotion” did not survive to enjoy the honors bestowed on them.

To understand Lonnie Mixon you need only look at what he has always done: what’s right and good, regardless of the obstacles involved. His mission has been stated: he wants to correct the financial mess that his 26 years as a trustee in the Federal Bankruptcy Court have taught him exists in Fairhope. Though his style may appear brusque at times, I believe this stems from his general impatience with political games that distract from his goal of identifying and solving problems.

I feel honored to know him and am staggered by the dedication, expertise, and honest approach he brings to our community.

Dean Mosher, a Fairhope resident for 35 years, has chaired numerous committees and boards. He currently serves as vice president of the Fairhope Single Tax Corp. and is a professional artist known worldwde for his epic historical paintings.