October 14, 2015 - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 recently held a ceremony at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on the Historic Shelby County Courthouse lawn October 9, 2015 in remembrance of Afghanistan Veterans.
Operation Enduring Freedom was part of the counterattack by America on terrorism following the tragedy of 9/11. The ceremony was led by Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, with an opening prayer given by Jason Sanford, Post Chaplain.
"In those years since, the United States has lost 2,326 military and another 20,000 have been wounded in action. Among that number are the sons and daughters in big cities and small towns and Shelby County Texas as in all previous wars also suffered losses," stated Hume.
U.S. Army Specialist Corey Bertrand and Sgt. Devon Casey Roberts both lost their lives as the result of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) while overseas. As Hume explained, Sgt. Roberts was killed in action on May 7, He was not from Shelby County, yet he married a local girl and fell in love with Shelby County as well. His wish were anything to happen to him was to be buried in Shelby County.
Bertrand was killed in action before his 19th birthday which was only one month away on October 14, 2008. He is also buried in Shelby County.
Dr. Robert Hughes was given the honor of placing the memorial wreath on the Shelby County Memorial. Hume remarked that Dr. Hughes' son Robbie was in the service during Afghanistan and he still serves to this day.
Following the placing of the wreath, Taps was played as presented by Sanford.
