May 10, 2017 - The 72nd anniversary of Victory in Europe Day was recognized on May 8, 2017 before the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on the Center square.
The event was hosted by VFW Post 8904 and was led by Larry Hume, Quartermaster, who welcomed everyone to the event and he was followed by Cynthia Islas, Post Chaplain, who gave the opening prayer. Following the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the program ensued.
"Seventy-two years ago today in 1945 the war in Europe ended on what is commonly known as VE Day. Both the American and British people gather to remember. The United States suffered over 213,000 casualties in Europe and today we remember them all and those who served during that time," said Hume.
According to Hume, 56 of Shelby County's own died in service to their country in Europe and 40 of those were killed in battle.
"Two of them were brothers, Early and Barron Davis, killed four months apart. You might know Marie Miller, that was her brother, Dr. Keith Miller his uncle. Fighter pilot Robert Daw from Joaquin is believed to have been executed by the Nazis after his plane ditched during the Battle of the Bulge," said Hume. "First Lieutenant William Todd was killed in action one week after returning from duty to the hospital where he was recovering from wounds."
Three were wounded in battle, and died of those wounds. Robert Wilburn, wounded in Italy March 22, died five months later in a military hospital in San Antonio. Hume explained four of the 56 remain missing in action resulting in generations of family members passing on without the knowledge of what ever happened to their loved one who disappeared so long ago.
"Ships cook, Ray Williams was serving aboard the U.S.S. Maddox when it was sunk by German dive bombers. Only 74 of a crew of 284 survived. Ray's mother Mattie died two months after he was declared missing in action in 1944," said Hume.
Four died of non-combat wounds including E.C. White who was in a hospital in England recuperating from wounds he received in battle when he was killed in a bus accident, and Clarence Mahan died of a heart attack.
"These 56 names, they're just not names in our program, but they were once in fact as alive as you and I are today," said Hume.
He explained, if they were still alive they would mostly be in their early 90s.
"Of the 16 million men and women who served in World War II, there are less than 800,000 alive today. Approximately 492 depart our ranks each and every day, and the average age of the World War II veteran is 92. While they may have lost a step, they too once were young and in that youth they truly saved the world and they're the reason that you and I are standing here today," said Hume.
Hume stated it is estimated, by the year 2035 there will be no remaining World War II veterans left just as there are no more World War I veterans that remain.
"We owe the World War II Veterans a debt that can never be repaid, and our presence today is a small but heartfelt thank you for there service and what they did for our country. While the war in Europe ended on May 8th, the war in the Pacific continued until September of 1945," said Hume.
73,000 American are still missing from World War II.
Hume asked if anyone in the audience had World War II veterans in their family they would like to mention and those names are as follows: Frank Maidic, Elmer Snider, Jewel Snider, Marion Wesley Holden, Case (Eric) Broderick Bradford, Jr., Johnny Leroy Delaney, Ray Brandenberg, Billy Hayden, Marvin Gray, Edsel Gray, Ed Hughes, Allen Douglas Durante.
Senior Vice Commander Newton Johnson then placed the memorial wreath in honor of those who served and have passed.
Taps was then played as presented by Mike Langford, Past Post Commander.
Shelby County, Texas World War II Veterans
Who Died in Service to Our Country in the European Theater
Ralph T. Amoss - Killed in Action, August 5, 1944, England
John C. Anderson - Killed in Action, September 8, 1944, France
Nolan R. Anderson - Killed in Action, June 12, 1944, France
William L. Anding - Killed in Action, December 22, Italy
Lloyd L. Andrews - Missing in Action, December 25, 1944, English Channel
Bruce C. Baker, Jr. - Killed in Action, July 15, 1944, England
Oscar L. Belser - Killed in Action, April 5, 1943, North Africa
Ray W. Bolton - Killed in Action, November 8, 1945, Italy
Joseph B. Brannon - Killed in Action, March 3, 1945, Germany
Richard D. Bray - Killed in Action, July 11, 1944, France
Thomas B. Brittain - Died of Combat Wounds, January 16, 1945, France
Bryan N. Brittain - Killed in Action, September 23, 1945, North Africa
Lee O. Brunson - Missing in Action, December 8, 1944, France
E.T. Burgess, Jr. - Killed in Action, January 11, 1944, Germany
E.C. Campbell - Died of Combat Wounds, June 20, 1944, England
Richard E. Crawford - Killed in Action, November 20, 1944, France
James F. Daniel - Killed in Action, March 21, 1945, France
Early Davis - Killed in Action, October 12, 1944, Italy
Barron Davis - Killed in Action, February 28, 1945, Germany
Robert E. Daw, Jr. - Killed in Action, December 30, 1944, Belgium
Lewis Dockens - Killed in Action, July 1942, Coast of South America
Reed H. Dominy - Missing in Action, April 15, 1944, European Theater
William P. Durham - Killed in Action, May 28, 1944, Italy
Arlie L. Eddins - Died Non-Combat, January 1, 1945, England
O.J. Edwards - Killed in Action, December 16, 1944, Italy
Dewey L. Evans - Killed in Action, April 14, 1945, Netherlands
Charles R. Frame - Killed in Action, January 8, 1945, England
Randle B. Golden - Died Non-Battle, October 4, 1944, France
E.C. Gunnels - Killed in Action, January 10, 1945, Germany
Walter B. Henry - Missing in Action, August 7, 1943, Atlantic Ocean
William S. Hopkins - Killed in Action, November 26, 1945, Germany
J.W. Honeycutt - Killed in Action, February 6, 1945, France
Roy D. Hughes - Killed in Action, August 15, 1944, Germany
Arthur T. Hutcherson - Died in Accident, December 23, 1944, France
Walter B. Hutto - Killed in Action, August 25, 1944, France
James R. Kirkland - Killed in Action, September 30, 1944, Holland
Howard L. Lovell - Killed in Action, December 27, 1944, Italy
Clarence M. Mahan - Died Non-Battle, October 2, 1944, France
John W. Minter - Killed in Action, July 9, 1944, France
Roy H. Mitchell - Killed in Action, December 28, 1944, France
Jimmie H. Mott - Killed in Action, July 26, 1944, France
Hoya B. Murphy - Killed in Action, December 8, 1944, Germany
James E. Pate - Killed in Action, August 18, 1944, France
Pershing Pate - Killed in Action, June 8, 1944, France
Jack Powell - Killed in Action, July 6, 1944, France
Arlen Rhame - Killed in Action, July 28, 1944, France
Ben M. Simon - Killed in Action, March 14, 1945, Germany
Hugh J. Smith - Killed in Action, January 27, 1945, Italy
Robert Swanzy - Killed in Action, July 12, 1944
William R. Todd - Killed in Action, September 13, 1944, France
Sidney E. Watson - Killed in Action, August 22, 1944, France
E.C. White - Killed in Accident, July 4, 1944, England
Robert Wilburn - Died of Combat Wounds, August 26, 1944, Italy
Clifton Williams - Killed in Action, December 15, 1944, Germany
Ray D. Williams - Missing in Action, July 11, 1944, European Theater
Wrayful Willis - Died Non-Battle, July 29, 1945, France
