NATCHEZ — When it came to honoring a military veteran as part of the Miss-Lou Patriotic Golf Tournament, Home with Heroes founder Mark LaFrancis knew one local veteran who should highlight the event.

LaFrancis said he met Natchez native Robert ‘Bob’ Mims several years ago, and, as a fellow veteran, was awestruck by Mims’ accomplishments.

“This man’s humility in light of the incredible honors he has received for protecting his country is amazing,” LaFrancis said.

Mims is a World War II veteran with the Army Air Corps, and LaFrancis and Redneck Adventures partner Jimmy Allgood thought it would be fitting to rename the golf tournament after Mims, now calling it the Robert ‘Bob’ Mims Miss-Lou Patriotic Golf Tournament.

The tournament is set to tee off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday,

Mims, 93, said he forgot more stuff than he ever learned in his life, but there was one war event that fails to leave his memory.

Mims was a tactical bomber stationed in England, and his plane was shot down above France by German foes. From there, Mims was captured as a prisoner of war.

“I can describe it in two words, I was cold and hungry,” Mims said. “(Adolf)Hitler ordered all airmen to be shot and the SS (Schutzstaffel) was supposed to execute all prisoners, but didn’t do it.”

Mims said he was sure he was going to be shot and killed by Hitler’s army, but a turn of events involving the Russian military allowed him and several other soldiers to see another day.

“(The Germans) left our camp in the middle of the night because the Russians were coming fast,” Mims explained. “I went with the Russians all the way to about 20 miles of their front lines and where they had all the Germans backed in there and they sent us to the Canadian first airborne who took us in.”

Once he returned back to America, Mims received several honors, including the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, European Theatre Medal with Battle Star, the Prison or War Medal and the French Legion of Honor Medal.

Mims said the amount of awards and ribbons planted on the left chest of his uniform reminds him and others what he went through to protect his country.

“You’re supposed to wear your ribbons all the time so when you met up with a new commander, they can see exactly who you were, what you’ve done, where you’ve been and what kind of soldier you were. Looking at mine, they could see I did a good job.”

LaFrancis said he is honored Mims approved of having the tournament named after him.

“He is one of the most respected veterans,” LaFrancis said. “We were absolutely honored, and having him also honors vets because they know now that a highly worthy veteran’s name was attached to the tournament.”

Mims will attend a ceremony honoring him and several veterans at the golf tournament Saturday, and he said he will also donate a piece of jewelry from his jewelry store, Robert Mims and Sons Jewelers, to the silent auction for the event.

The jewelry will be one of several prizes given away at the silent auction, plus several door prizes awarded throughout the day.

LaFrancis said registration is ongoing until the start of the tournament. Individual players pay $75, a team of four I $400 and player/hole sponsorships are $125.

For more information, call LaFrancis at 601-442-0980.