USS Maine Remembrance Ceremony Gives Insight into Creation of Veteran Organizations

February 20, 2019 -  VFW Post 8904 and its Auxiliary held a wreath laying ceremony on Friday for the sinking of the USS Maine which started the Spanish-American War and spurred the creation of veteran organizations.

Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Quartermaster opened the remembrance for the USS Maine which 121 years ago, February 15, 1898, exploded in the harbor of Havana Cuba killing two hundred sixty-six American crewmen and marines.

Hume said, “Spain was blamed for the explosion and the Spanish-American War began as a result and less than four months later on August 12, 1898 the United States won a decisive victory. This was the first war the United States had ever fought beyond its shores. Three thousand American military were lost, but mostly from yellow and typhoid fever from fighting in the jungles.”

“Teddy Roosevelt of Roughrider fame told his troops as they mustered out ‘enjoy the next 15 days because after that you will be forgotten.’ And they were. And because of the United States Government’s refusal of proper medical care these veterans banded together in organizations that would eventually become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.”

Hume continued, “Today we are here to remember the lives lost so long ago in the explosion of the USS Maine and the Spanish-American War that ensued. We thank them for their service just as we thank the veterans of all wars.”

After Post Member Jason Samford placed the memorial wreath, Hume recognized seven Shelby County, Texas veterans that can be connected to the Spanish-American War.

Elijah Webb, born 1866 in Shelby County voluntarily enlisted at the beginning of the Spanish-American war and was sent to Cuba. He was then ordered to Manila in the Philippines. He served with Company H, 44th US Volunteer Infantry. While the war ended in August 1898 the First Philippine Republic objected to the terms under which the United State took possession of the Philippines from Spain and the fighting continued until July 2, 1902. During the fighting in the Philippines, Elijah Webb was killed on June 16, 1900 and his body returned home for burial in August 1901. In a short Houston Post newspaper article, dated August 18, 1901, it said in part on the large box which held the metallic coffin was his name, the number of his company and the cause of his death, which as stated on the box ‘was a knife wound in the head.’ It went on to say that ‘Lige’ had many friends here and a good crowd witnessed the casket in which rested his remains. Webb was buried in the Center Cemetery as it was called then and now known as the Methodist Cemetery that is located behind the First United Methodist Church in Center.

Others from Shelby County who served were:

  • Edwin A. Booth – Buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Timpson
  • Brunson Cline – Buried in Carroll Cemetery
  • Charles Hudson – Buried in Corinth Cemetery, Timpson
  • Charlie E. Matlock – Buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
  • James Mosby, Jr. – Buried in Fairview Cemetery
  • James M. Walker – Buried in Walker Cemetery. He also served in the Civil War.

Before the presentation of taps by Post Commander Gene Hutto, Hume said, “Today, we can honor these local veterans and all the other forefathers of our great organization by continuing to fight for veterans rights and benefits, just as they did."