Tri-Service

Soldiers Help Hug Lady Who Embraced Half A Million Troops

Her real name is Elizabeth Laird, but many soldiers refer to her as the "hug lady."

For over a decade, 83 year old Elizabeth Laird has hugged soldiers deployed from Fort Hood, Texas on operations overseas, but has now fallen ill.

Soldiers across the US are now rallying to her side, and returning the favour.

Fort Hood 'Hug Lady' Elizabeth Laird hospitalized at Metroplex Hospital in Killeen: https://t.co/7Lxm8H3FTv pic.twitter.com/wp7kWWw13E
— KVUE News (@KVUE) November 11, 2015

Laird was taken to the hospital this month with doctor's fearing she may not be able to fight her 10 year battle with cancer for much longer. Word spread quickly that the much loved 'Hug Lady' had poor health, signalling scores of soldiers from around the nation to offer messages of support encouragement, and hugs.

Woman Who Gives 500,000 Soldiers A Hug Gets Something Back

The "hug lady" said she has no idea how many hugs she's given out since troops began deploying to Iraq in 2003.

"She was here when I deployed in 2005, and she was here in March when we went to the Joint Readiness Training Center," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mickael Tatum.

"If I make them smile, it's worth my time," she said. "I believe in this country. When I look a Soldier in the eye and realize he is ready to die for his country; there is no greater sacrifice."

The U.S Army presented the Yellow Rose of Texas Award to Elizabeth Laird, the “Hug Lady,” during a ceremony on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Oct, 2014.

A GoFundMe campaign has been setup to assist Laird with care expenses.