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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020
SOCIAL
Wall of Heroes
SPORTS
‘The Right Thing to Do’ Medical Properties Trust Officer Doubles Down on Nonprofit Support
Louis Pizitz Middle School Celebrates Living History Day
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ith success comes great responsibility, in the eyes of Edward Aldag, CEO and president of Medical Properties Trust. For Aldag, the pandemic has become a time to double-up on his efforts to support others. “We try to do it quietly, just because it is the right thing to do, but we have more than doubled our efforts this year for all of our charities,” he said. See ALDAG, page 10
Robert Roebuck honored his grandfather, retired Col. Ed Rowe, during a celebration of America’s veterans at Louis Pizitz Middle School. Rowe, a graduate of West Point, served 30 years in active service, including two tours in Vietnam with the Green Berets and over 20 years at the Pentagon.
Edward Aldag
Photo courtesy Medical Properties Trust
See HEROES, page 32
By Emily Williams
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
tudents at Louis Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills took part in a celebration of America’s veterans on Nov. 5. Pizitz Principal Chris Pennington, founder of the annual Living History Day, said he was grateful to school staff and the Parent Teacher Organization for finding a way to safely host the event this year. “This is a very important tradition for our school and a great opportunity for us to show our respect for all those who served our country,” Pennington said. The event was celebrated in a socially distant format, beginning with a parade of veterans. About 50 vehicles participated in the parade, which traveled around the school’s mile-long carpool loop, with Pizitz students and staff watching along the route. At the end of the parade, the 81st Division of the U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Veterans in attendance participated
The Last Dance
Anderson Waltzes Into Retirement After 49 Years of Coaching Football at Vestavia Hills Throughout this fall, Vestavia Hills didn’t hold any pep rallies before the Rebels’ football games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But on the eve of Buddy Anderson’s final game as the Rebels’ head coach, they held a pep rally at Thompson Reynolds Stadium, and Anderson cooked up a surprise for his wife, Linda, who had been by his side during his entire 49 years at Vestavia Hills, including the last 43 as head coach.
During previous seasons, when Anderson didn’t make it home for Sunday dinner because he was at the school late while putting together a game plan for the Rebels’ next opponent, Linda would bring some food up to the stadium and they would have a candlelight picnic at midfield. Anderson had his boom box handy and his Kenny Rogers’ CD with the song “Through the Years.” He would play it and they would dance. See LAST DANCE, page 12
Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
By Rubin E. Grant
Vestaiva Hills head coach Buddy Anderson with wife Linda, family members and players celebrate after his last game Oct. 30.