Henderson Woody has been content for decades to help his neighbors and others without any kind of recognition.

But friends and family saw to it that he finally has received some thanks. Woody was presented with a city proclamation at Monday night's Cedartown City Commission meeting, and Monday was designated as Henderson Woody Day in the city of Cedartown.

"He has done all these great things, and never got any recognition," Commission Chairman Larry Odom said.

Leanne Shelton, who attended the meeting on other business, shared a story about Woody's selfless actions. When one of his neighbors was ill, Woody went over and mowed their grass every Thursday for about a year and a half, she said.

A family friend approached Odom about the possibility of the city recognizing Woody. With Veterans Day coming up on Wednesday, Odom said it was a very appropriate thing to do.

Woody is a World War II veteran. Now 94, he is believed to be the oldest WWII veteran in the community.

According to the proclamation, which was read at the start of the meeting, Woody served in the United States Army as a first sergeant from 1940 to 1945. He was in the 4th Division Army at the D-Day invasion of Normandy, taking part in the landings at Utah Beach. He marched with the 4th Division into Cherbourg and into Saint-Mere-Eglise. He was wounded in action at Saint Low and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Reading from the proclamation, Odom further noted, "Whereas, Henderson Woody does deeds for people out of the goodness of his heart and asks for no recognition; and whereas Henderson Woody is one of the oldest veterans in the City of Cedartown, now thereford, I, Larry Odom, Chairman of the City Commission of the City of Cedartown, do hereby proclaim Nov. 9, 2009 as Henderson Woody Day.

Woody attended Monday night's meeting with friends and family. The proclamation was a surprise, however, as family members got him to the meeting on other pretenses.

Woody thanked the commission and friends for the surprise. He said he was greatly appreciative and touched by the gesture.

Also attending was Linda Liles, Constituent Service Representative and Service Academy Director for U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey's Rome district office.

Liles presented Woody another commendation, in the form of a Special Congressional Recognition. Reading from the plaque, she said Woody deserved recognition for "outstanding and invaluable service to his country and his community."