April 7, 2017 - Shelby County VFW Post 8904, Auxiliary, and members of the community gathered at the Veterans Memorial marker on the downtown courthouse lawn to observe the 100th Anniversary of the United States entering World War I on Thursday, April 6, 2017.
Quartermaster Larry Hume spoke, “This courthouse behind us had only been standing for 32 years when the United States of America entered World War I.”
Past Post Commander Mike Langford then stepped up and hung the memorial wreath in honor of this momentous day.
“On June 5, 1917 saw the first of three draft registrations for all men between the ages of 21 and 31. The draft was a little different in World War I than it had been in previous wars, the Civil War, as you could no longer hire someone to serve in your place. During the Civil War you could, you could go hire someone to go fight in your place,” continued Hume.
Shelby County has participated in all wars before World War I and since. ‘Our boys’ signed up voluntarily and by draft serving both overseas and stateside. All Americans who served during this time will be remembered along with the 507 from Shelby County known to date.
Hume recognized the Shelby County Veterans who died during the war from combat, disease, or accident. “Remember no one is truly dead until they are forgotten and we plan to see that this doesn’t happen to our World War I Veterans from Shelby County, Texas.”
Before concluding the program, Hume mentioned two Veterans who had recently passed, Myron Bounds and Earl Wood.
Over the months until we celebrate wars end on Veterans Day, November 11, 1918, Hume said we would like to get as accurate an accounting of Shelby County WW I Veterans as possible. If there is one in your family please contact QM Hume.
