June 1, 2022 (Photo Album) - Community members gathered Monday, May 30 at the John D. Windham Civic Center for a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary to remember all Shelby County soldiers who gave all in their 'Last Full Measure of Devotion.' Elder Faye Dell Allen with Strong Triumph Church gave the invocation and the posting of the ceremonial rifle was performed by Sr. Vice Commander Newton Johnson, Jr. and Kenneth Dickerson. Post Quartermaster Larry Hume spoke, "You have just witnessed the posting of the military battle cross whose origins go back to a time of the Civil War when riffles were used to mark the graves of the fallen so that they could later be recovered. The battle cross is a visible reminder of the fallen that we honor here and across this nation today."
Guest speaker was Dick Shawver, Immediate Past Texas VFW State Commander. "On Memorial day we honor our fallen but we must also embrace the feeling of honor, patriotism, and pride. One hundred and fifty-five years have passed since a drug store owner in Waterloo, New York encouraged businesses to close for one day to honor the soldiers who lost their lives during the civil war." He then described the American tradition of Memorial day.
A special medal presentation was made to Past Post Commander John Piersol who is a Korean War veteran, and paratrooper. Hume read a letter for John, "It is a great honor and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving the freedom of democracy. We cherish in our hearts the memory of your valiant sacrifices in helping us to reestablish our free nation. In grateful recognition of your dedicated contribution, it is our privilege to claim you as an ambassador for peace. Every good wish, the people of the Republic of Korea, let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come. Signed Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea."
As part of the program, several families of military members - past and present, were given special recognition with presentations of banners. Blue Star families, the immediate family of a U.S. military member who is serving during war, were asked to stand and then were presented Blue Star Banners by Post Jr. Vice Commander Jason Samford.
Three special Gold Star families were recognized as well. Gold star families are spouses, children, parents, siblings or others whose loved one died in service to our nation. Gold Star families recognized belonged to the following military members: John Stilley, U.S. Army, who was killed in Vietnam; Rennie C. Snider, Jr., U.S. Army, who was killed in WW II; and James L. Beckham who was killed in action in WW II.
Three Quilts of Valor were presented by Shelby County 4-H representatives, Dr. Jheri-Lynn McSwain and Feleshia Thompson as part of the Heart to Hands Quilt of Valor project. The three quilts were sponsored by Woodmen Life Chapter 250 and were presented to Athena Ezernack, served 14 years in U.S. Air Force; Ruby Johnson, retired U.S. Navy; and Casey Williams, served in U.S. Marine Corps. Before each veteran was wrapped in their quilt, their service history and accommodations were read. They were then each welcomed home.
Beautiful music was performed during the ceremony. David Mathis and Leigh Porterfield led the audience in the National Anthem, the First Baptist Church Trio sang a cappella "In Flanders Fields," and Leigh Porterfield ended the inside portion of the program with "Last Full Measure of Devotion."
Those remembered in the Roll Call of Honor are listed below:
Mexican-American War (14): William Graves, Prince B. Hawes, Ezekiel T. Hewett, Oliver Latharp, Richard Manning, Gabriel Moore, Abner Nail, John R. Robbins, Jacob Sessum, Alfred Sick, Robert Smith, Ephraim Story, Peter Tidwell, and Jackson West.
American Civil War (24): William Thomas Baker, Frank Biggar, Richard Sweezer Biggar, James Tapley Booth, D. C. Brandon, James Moore Choate, Stephen Choppell Christian, Joseph Duncan, W.J. Freeland, Oscar F. Hall, James Harkness, John W.I. Hayes, James Travis Hopkins, Andrew Frank Hughes, Sam Houston Latham, Stephen N. Latham, Joseph H. McCary, David Milford Mouser, Benjamin Franklin Newman, Jesse Oates, Stephen N. Power, Benjamin Henry Schooler, James Madison Soloman, and G. H. Stevens.
Spanish/Philippine Insurrection-American War (1): Elijah Webb
World War I (40): Joe L. Adams, Preston Archer, Norfleet Armstrong, Clyde Chance, Jimmie E. Chandler, Freddie F. Choate, Norman G. Crocker (1st Texas A&M Grad & Shelby Co. Soldier killed in WWI), Devoe Ferguson, Jodie M. Ferguson, James E. Fielder, Louis Franklin, Thomas H. Franks, Bert Gordon, Ira A. Hoffman, Irvin F. Hunter, Oscar Latimer, Albert W. Lewis, Fred R. Lindsey, Benice N. Mancil, Ferman H. McCann, Clyde T. Morrison, John B. Norman, Stephen H. Oates, Calvin Kirt Ramey, Alexander D. Ramsey (brothers), Robert L. Ramsey (brothers), John Sharp, Ernest H. Shipp, John Stanton, Joe Taylor, Wilburn Taylor, John W. Temple, Nathaniel H. Tims, Boss Turner, Bernice Tyson, Norman G. Vaught, Noah H. Warr, Barney Webb, John N. Yeary, and George M. Yeats.
World War II (128): John C.B. Alford, Ernest W. Allen, Ralph L. Amoss, John C. Anderson, Nolan R. Anderson, William Leroy Anding, Lloyd L. Andrews, Cecil A. Armstreet, Bruce C. Baker Jr., Marvin Beard, James L. Beckham, Oscar L. Belser, Ray W. Bolton, Joseph B. Brannon, Richard Dale Bray, Urdong Brinson, Bryan Nelson Brittain, Thomas B. Brittain Jr., Lee O. Brunson, Edmond T. Burgess Jr., John B. Byrn, Emory C. Campbell, Jack E. Carter, Huston Cartwright, Rayford H. Ceal, Raymond H. Chance, Philip H. Childs, James Alton Cleveland, Royce C. Collum, Bobbie B. Compton, Joseph S. Connell, Marvin K. Crausby, Delton Cravey, Richard E. Crawford, Troy F. Crawford, Bobby Allen Crump, Barron Bailey Davis (brothers), Early E. Davis (brothers), Robert E. Daw Jr., Lewis V. Dockens, Reed H. Dominy, Roy V. Duncan, Austin E. Dunaway, William P. Durham, Arlie L. Eddins, O.J. Edwards, Robert Henry Essery, Louis Fishman, Charles R. Frame, Everett A. Gaines, Tom Gant, Randle B. Golden, E. C. Gunnels, Hubert B. Haley, Hulen M. Hardage, Pershing H. Harvey, Walter Bruce Henry, Ralph D. Herndon, Dudley D. Holt, Harold W. Hooper, William S. Hopkins, Preston O. Huckabay, Roy D. Hughes, Arther T. Hutcherson, Walter B. Hutto, Leroy Johnson, Curtis Jolley, Carl H. Jones, Johnnie L. Jones, James R. Kirkland, Willie D. Lathon, Johnnie M. Lee, Howard L. Lovell, Clarence M. Mahan, Earnest M. Mahan, Charlie D. Majors, Bryan McCollum Jr., James A. McDaniel, John R. Miller, John W. Minter, Roy H. Mitchell, Thomas T. Mitchell, Woodrow W. Moro, Jimmie H. Mott, Hoya B. Murphy, L.C. Netherly, Kenneth N. Nicholson, Robert L. Norris, Joe L. Odom, Steve Henry Oates, Allie J. Oliver, James E. Pate, Pershing Pate, Jack T. Powell, Arlen R. Rhame, Ben R. Rhodes, Postell Richard, Darwin A. Risinger, George O. River Jr., John C. Scott, Benjamin M. Simon, Hugh J. Smith, Choron Smothermon, Rennie C. Snider Jr., Luther T. Spurlock, Johnie F. Stack, Robert Swanzy, James P. Tindol, William R. Todd, Richard R. Wallace, Vernon B. Walters, Sidney E. Watson, Arvin D. Webb, Robert H. Wharton, E. C. White, Marion Bedford Whiteside Jr., Robert Wilburn, Claude M. Wilkerson, Clifton Williams, Eligie P. Williams, Elmer E. Williams, Ray D. Williams, Wrayful Willis, Julius R. Windham, Melvin T. Windham, Silvanus Winfrey Jr., Harry H. Womack, and Albert Youngblood
Korean War (8): Floyd Harris, Clifford Hughes, Johnny V. Mena, Bobbie F. Mock, Billy Clyde Stephenson, Leonard Williams, Willie J. Wilson, Willie E. Windham
Vietnam War (12): Ted Wane Adams, William Larry "Shorty" Andrews, Jimmy Dalton Barnett, Mac Curtis Buckley, Larry S. "Possum" Byford, Ray A. Chatelain Jr., William Henry Eaden, Jerry Lynn Hughes, Taylor D. Johnson, John B. Lightfood, Samuel R. Lynch, and Calvin R. Patrick
War on Terrorism - Iraq (1): Larry E. Polley Jr.
War on Terrorism - Afghanistan (2): Kevin C. Roberts and Cory J. Bertrand
