Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Thomas McCay

Lottery Vet - McCayThe retired Air Force colonel and command pilot will be honored when Texas Football hosts Florida on Nov. 9.

11.08.2024

Thomas McCay turned a lifelong love of flying into a decorated U.S. Air Force career, which included hundreds of combat missions as a fighter pilot, followed by a second career as a high school instructor and mentor to junior cadets and the next generation of public servants.

"I got lucky to diversify and have the career that I did," said McCay, who retired from the Air Force in 1989 as a colonel and command Pilot.

McCay was inspired to fly at a young age by a photograph of his mother's brother, a World War II pilot. McCay saw the airplane and his uncle's…