March 1, 2017 - A crowd gathered around the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse in Center on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 to remember the service and sacrifice of those Americans who participated in the Gulf War 26 years ago.
Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Post Quartermaster, welcomed the few attending and Post Member Derwin Howell acted as Chaplain giving an invocation.
Hume then spoke to honor Desert Storm Veterans, "Gulf War, code name Operation Desert Storm, began on January 16, 1991. Coalition forces from 34 nations lead by the United States began aerial bombardment of Iraq. This was in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. A week later on January 24th, a ground assault began in the liberation of Kuwait and advancement in to Iraqi territory. And when the war ended February 28, 1991, 26 years ago today, 148 Americans had died in battle and there was another 145 non-battle deaths and 467 wounded in action."
Recognition was then given to Gulf War veterans in attendance and those who families were in attendance - Past Post Commander Mike Langford, Derwin Howell, Jr., Duane Howell, and William Lassiter.
Hanging the wreath honoring Desert Storm was (left) Auxiliary Member Shannon Guynes whose brother William Lassiter served in Desert Storm and (right) Virginia Howell whose sons, Derwin Jr. (US Army Retired) and Duane (US Air Force Retired) Howell both served.
TAPS was then played as presented by VFW Member John Piersol.
