Shelby County Today

October 18, 2024 - Women in military service were honored by VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary on October 18, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial. 

Mary Roberts, Post member, led the program and shared a history as it relates to women serving in the military and she began by sharing that the history of Women in the armed forces began more than 225 years ago with women who served during the American Revolution and continues through the present day. 

“The women we honor here today are a remarkable bunch. Think of it. In the Revolutionary and Civil War, they wanted to serve so badly that they disguised themselves as men. In 1917, without even the right to vote, nurses answered the call to duty during World War I and served everywhere, including near the front lines in France,” said Roberts. 

Roberts related that during World War I there were there long and tedious hours caring for those that were wounded and maimed, and that there was also the additional challenge of dealing with the 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide, including many of the nurses themselves. 

During World War II, women answered the call to duty once again and from then on their involvement increased.

“When the armed services opened up their ranks to women that freed men up for battle, 77 nurses in the Pacific were taken prisoners of war. At Anzio, Italy, six Army nurses died from German bombardments. In the mud of Korea, 70% of the Army nurses served in a mobile Army surgical hospital battery known as a MASH unit,” said Roberts.

Roberts explained that 7,500 American Army women served in the Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and that Army nurse Lieutenant Sharon Lane, age 25, was killed during a rocket attack in Chu Lai, Vietnam with seven others dying in accidents and of illness. 

“In 1990, 40,000 American women deployed for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. According to the USO more than 300,000 women served during post 9 /11 war, including Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom,” said Roberts. “More than 9,000 have earned the Combat Action Badge. Sixteen percent of our nation's armed forces are made up of women. 152 have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

In honor of women in military service, a memorial wreath was placed on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Austin Hutto.

Taps was then played as presented by Past-Post-Commander Gene Hutto.

October 17, 2024 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club met October 3 in the First Methodist Church fellowship hall. The members enjoyed a perfect fall meal of frito pie and butter cake provided by member Angie Davis.

During the business meeting, Corresponding Secretary Fannie Watson read a letter from Sandra Davis thanking the club for the generous donation made to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library.

Member Dottie West reported that the library book sale will take place October 22-26. Volunteers are needed to help the Friends of the Library with the sale. Also anyone wishing to donate books for the sale may take them to the library. Club President Alease Copelin introduce guest Kim Oswalt.

Following the business meeting Dottie West gave a fascinating book report on The Book of Charlie a memoir written by David Von Drehle. Drehle, a veteran journalist, moved to Kansas where he met his neighbor Charlie White who was more than a century old. In fact Charlie lived to be 109 years old. When Drehle began visiting with Charlie and became aware of all the wisdom he had to share, he began taking notes to share with his children thinking it would teach them great life lessons. He later published the book. 

White faced many challenges in his life but believed that no matter how many challenges we face in life one must not give in to the challenges but instead deal with them and grow from them. Charlie’s mother taught him to be resilient and to never give up on himself or others. Charlie’s life was centered on being patient, hard work and spreading joy. He believed meaning could be found in everyday actions and found his greatest joy in service to others.

Mrs. West ask members to share their own stories of wisdom sayings learned from others. The program provided much insight on the importance of both listening and learning from our own experiences as well as the experiences of others. Experience truly is the best teacher!

October 10, 2024 - VFW Post 8904 and the Auxiliary each had a drawing at this year's Poultry Festival. Daniele won the electric smoker, and Roy Blackshear won the Remembrance Poppy Quilt. Auxiliary member Linda Lundie made the quilt.

October 9, 2024 - (Photo Album) - Timpson Elementary School students took a field trip September 28, 2024 and they visited businesses on the Timpson square.

The classes first visited McDonald & Sons Auto Parts/Ace Hardware where there was a variety of tools and products; Boss Lady Bakery had some fresh cookies students were treated to and they met all the employees at Texan Credit Corporation where they received a treat on the way out the door. From there, they stopped by the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and learned about safety and fire equipment.

Students then went to Daily Dose where they visited the in-house fitness studio and sampled some of the menu in the coffee shop.

Timpson Library on Austin Street was their next stop where they enjoyed a story time, and they then visited Bussey Drug Store.

Ending their journey, the students then traveled to the Tie and Timber Lodging and Event Center, which is under construction, and Mayor Debra Smith explained to the students what is taking place during the construction there. Students received a bag of goodies before leaving there to head back to school.