11/2/2002 DATED TALK: Memorial war dates based on government resolutions, proclamations By LOYD COOK/Daily Sun Staff OK you history buffs ... organizers are aware that there's some talk about the dates attributed to two of the conflicts listed on the new Navarro County War Memorial, which is set to be unveiled on Veteran's Day. But it's a case where the history books are, technically at least, incorrect. Tim Easley of the Navarro County War Memorial Committee said he's been receiving inquiries from some local residents about the dates listed for World War II and the Korean Conflict. He said history books list the dates in 1945 and 1953, respectively, for the wars. Unfortunately, the correct way is how the United States government recognizes beginnings and ends to conflicts for the purposes of veteran compensation and benefits. "The government has a beginning, like a Congressional declaration of war, and an end, either through Congressional resolution or a presidential proclamation," Easley said. "Since we are putting veterans' names on the monuments, we pretty well have to follow those guidelines." Truman signed a presidential proclamation officially ending World War II. That date? Dec. 31, 1946. While a peace treaty was signed to end the Korean Conflict in 1953, the executive order officially bringing a cessation of hostilities set a date of January 1955. Easley said one local veteran -- whom Easley said served not only in World War II, but in Korea and Vietnam as well -- said that fighting continued in WWII for a time after the peace treaties were signed. "Taking all of (the government documents) into consideration, the Navarro County War Memorial Committee is in agreement that the dates used on the monument are defensible in regards to recognizing the men and women of Navarro County that served during these wars," Easley wrote in a letter responding to some of the questions. Loyd Cook may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected] Corsicana High School Air Force J.R.O.T.C cadet Josue Kato, front, assisted by cadet Jon Miller, unveils the Navarro County War Memorial during Veterens Day ceremonies, Monday on the lawn of the Navarro County Courthouse. DAILY SUN photo/KIRK SIDES   11/2/2002 UNVEILING REVERENCE: County's war memorial revealed during Vets Day event By LOYD COOK/Daily Sun Staff To the strains of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," the long-anticipated Navarro County War Memorial was unveiled Monday before an estimated crowd of more than 1,000 celebrating Veterans Day. The four column, black stone monument engraved with the names of the county's war dead was the ending point of a 28-month journey through fund-raising, design, materials selection and bureaucratic red tape. It was a special event with emotions that speakers at the ceremony attempted to put into word. "America stands for freedom and because there is evil in the world, there will always be some who will want to destroy that freedom," said Col. William Pailes, commander of the Corsicana High School Jr. ROTC and a former NASA space shuttle astronaut. "That's why memorials, such as this one, are so important. We need reminders, frequent reminders, of what it costs to secure and protect our freedoms. "So I thank God for the over 300 people we honor today who gave their lives, and the countless others who have served in our military services to secure and protect our freedoms." "I commend the people of Navarro County and Corsicana for building this memorial, for making their own sacrifices, to erect a monument to those who died so we can be free," Pailes added. The day, some 14 months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, had added significance for Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell. Birdwell, a Fort Worth native, was in the Pentagon when it was hit that day. He suffered burns over 60 percent of his body, half of which were third-degree burns. Birdwell said Monday's events were about an important American characteristic. "It's validation of the nation's character," he said. "It's not what you read in line at the grocery store checkout. What matters in this nation is not who Britney Spears is dating or who is wearing what in Hollywood. "It's about the character of our nation and the people here in Navarro County are a reflection of that character ... based upon what they're commemorating here today and the price they're prepared to pay for freedom." The day was patriotic from the start with the District 30 Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard "posting the colors" -- raising a trio of flags; the United States, Texas and MIA-POW flag on poles that are a part of the memorial. The crowd joined together to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" -- performed by the Navarro College band -- and the Rev. David Hale and the Rev. B.F. Risinger gave the opening and closing prayers. In between, Navarro County War Memorial Committee member Irene Davenport read "Remember Us," a poem by Archibald MacLeish about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The VFW honor guard also fired a 21-gun salute as a part of the ceremonies and the Corsicana's Coyote Squadron, a member of the Commemorative Air Force, did a fly-over with two of its PT-19s -- a military training aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II at a Corsicana training facility. Retired Col. Bob Frisby, Col. Charles H. Harrison, and Navarro County veterans affairs administrator Jackie Farmer, himself a veteran, introduced Paile, Birdwell and the fly-over. Birdwell said recent events should be a catalyst for remembering what America stands for, even himself after being thrust into the spotlight. "It means that I must always be vigilant to ensure that I am always a proper representation of not only my faith, but as a father, as a husband, and then as a representative of my army," Birdwell said. "It means that the responsibilities that I bear are even more serious than what they were prior to ... people becoming aware of my story." Loyd Cook may be contacted via e-mail at loydcook@corsicanadailysun.com Lt. Colonel Brian Birdwell, a survivor of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, was a featured speaker during the Navarro County War Memorial dedication ceremonies, Monday on the lawn of the Navarro County courthouse Birdwell was burned over 60 percent of his body, with half them third-degree burns. Daily Sun photo/KIRK SIDES 11/13/2002 Memorial bricks don't last: Impromptu sales deplete left over commemoratives By LOYD COOK/Daily Sun Staff The Navarro County War Memorial committee is out of commemorative bricks, after a lucky few were able to purchase the last 80-plus slabs during impromptu sales Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Michelle Easley, a volunteer working the sales booth in the basement of the courthouse Tuesday (and the wife of memorial committee member Tim Easley), said the morning pace was frenetic. "It was hectic at first, but after we explained the rules everyone cooperated real well," Michelle Easley said. Committee members sold the last bricks on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited the precious few bricks to one per family. Some inquiring residents were a little upset at first, Michelle Easley said. But after they learned the brick sales had been publicized for the entire 28 months that memorial planning had been ongoing, most were understanding, she said. Northland Cable Television, KAND 1310 AM, and the Corsicana Daily Sun had all run announcement of brick sales since the project's inception in 2000. Organizers said the word of the commemorative bricks was even broadcast from the pulpits of most area churches. "A lot of us (organizers) were even carrying the (sign-up) forms in our cars up until about a week left before the (Veterans Day) ceremony," committee member Irene Davenport said. The last 42 bricks sold out -- at $50 each -- in an hour and 45 minutes Tuesday morning. Organizers said there will be no more sales -- ever. "If we added any more to the monument area, we'd have to go back to the Texas Historical Commission and get a new design approval, and go through that entire process again," Tim Easley said. "When we got to the final design, (the number of bricks) had been cut about in half but, at the time, that was OK with us because we had only sold about 800 to 900 bricks and sales were petering out." He said the present design finished with 1,292 total bricks. That total was down from the original design that allowed for approximately 2,500 bricks. But word of the additional, available blank bricks spread quickly, starting at Monday's Veterans Day ceremonies unveiling the new monument. Juanita and Lynn McCary came in Tuesday morning and purchase a brick in honor of Juanita's brother, James Bennett. Lynn McCary said Bennett's family weren't aware of the earlier brick sales. "His people live around Dallas now and I don't think his son, who is retired from the service himself, even knew about this," he said. "We were here (Monday, at the unveiling) and it was real nice. We heard there were still bricks available and decided to get one." James Sturm already had a brick for his own service, but decided he wanted to honor a deceased friend, Cecil Bondurant, who also had served in the military. He also said the word-of-mouth news about additional bricks drew him in. "I heard about it and I kept thinking I needed to do it," Sturm said. "I'd known him all my life and we grew up here playing baseball together on those old teams at the cotton mills. "He was just a special guy, bless his heart." Loyd Cook may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]   Stephen Smith leads the crowd in the singing of the national anthem at the Navarro County War Memorial Memorial Day Ceremony. Daily Sun photos/SCOTT HONEA 5/27/2003 'Eternally grateful': Dozens brave rain to honor 'heroes' By RAYMOND LINEX II/Daily Sun Staff As the rain continued to fall, Tim Easley continued to speak, continued to stand along the bricks that make up the Navarro County War Memorial. His reverence to those who came before him, those who ensured his freedom, was unwavering. "We owe to the men on this monument to be here, no matter what the weather is like," he said. "It's their day." With that, Easley, a War Memorial committee member who has levied a yoeman's effort to get it erected, put the formal wraps on the Navarro County Memorial Day ceremony held on the soggy grounds of the courthouse lawn. About five dozen grateful residents of the county, including a number of veterans of various wars, braved the rain to pay their respects and offer thanks to those who have served the United States in times of worldly conflict. There were prayers, there were songs, there was humor and insight from featured speaker Ross Maxfield, and a 21-gun salute. "To all the veterans who are alive, and to all who are on this monument, you are our heroes," said Irene Davenport, who recited the poem "Heroes Unaware." Monday's Memorial Day ceremony opened with a prayer from former Northside pastor Dr. David Hale, chaplain for the Justice Center, and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Sheriff Les Cotten, a veteran of Vietnam. Stephen Smith delivered a deep, strong version of the "Star Spangled Banner," and Easley then made the introductions, reminding those in attendance of the day's meaning. "Today we are to remember those that gave their lives so that we may enjoy our freedoms," Easley said. "... Their memories are entrusted to us." Easley said that while most Americans remember those killed in action on special holidays, their families live with it daily. Maxfield, a witty World War II veteran, began his remarks with the founding of our country, starting with the pilgrims and taking the crowd through Washington, the Constitution and up to his duties during the war. "I'm thankful everyday to be an American citizen," he said. "... I was asked what one thing won the war? American unity. ... Civilians back home helped win the war." Before Davenport followed with the poem, Curtis Sparks led a willing contingent in "God Bless America," a chorus that cut through the wind that came with the rain. Following the 21-gun salute, Les Grayson, almost unseen from the southwest corner of the courthouse building, played "taps." "As we go about our lives," Easley said, "let us live them to the fullest. But always remember that all gave some, and some gave all. To those who have relatives that gave all, we are eternally grateful."     All rights to these stories reserved. Copyright Corsicana Daily Sun and Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc,. 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