Vietnam War Casualties
Courthouse, Edna
 

Thomas Lee Coates American Legion Post # 202
Edna, Texas
 

Legion Memorial
By I. T. Taylor

The American Legion has underway a great and worthy undertaking in erecting a memorial shaft to the honored dead of World Wars I and II. This is one undertaking that the people of Jackson County will endorse and subscribe to 100%.

In order to perfect the great memorial, we must have the names of all those brave boys and girls, who sacrificed their all for their country. Erecting a memorial in honor of them is a very worthy cause. We are asking everyone to cooperate with us in compiling the names of our honored dead from Jackson County. It would be a great injustice, and almost a crime for us to leave off one name of our honored dead that has paid the supreme sacrifice in World War I and II.

We are very much concerned over collecting the names of the honored dead of World War I, as we have collected the names of most of those in World War II.

It is a shame that the United States Government has not compiled a list of the honored dead by counties in World War I. I wish to quote from a letter from the War Department of Dec. 27, 1946, as follows: "I sincerely regret that the names of those who died in World War I are not available at this time."

Now we will have to depend on the relatives and friends of the honored dead from Jackson County in World War I.

Mrs. Nannie B. Rodgers was so kind in furnishing us a good list that she had kept of World War I.

Ben H. Rogers, 22 years old, U. S. Marine Corps, killed in battle. Son of the late Mr. R. H. Rogers and Mrs. Rogers; was in 6 major battles.
Willie Gray White, 17th U. S. Cavalry Band Reg. stationed at Douglas, Arizona, patrol duty; in service 2 years.
Lt. John H. Traylor, U. S. Medical Corps. Died at Camp McArthur, Waco.
Thomas Lee Coates killed in action.
Roy Brunette, died at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, military training Camp.
Dan Nash, died in France.
Roy Cowgill, died in France.
[Hugh Clifford] Yoas, from Ganado.
Sam W. Traylor, Battery C, 343rd Field Artillery.
Pvt. Robt. W. Macon.

We thank Mrs. Rodgers for her great contribution to this worthy cause.

We hope we have the roster of the honored dead in World War II about completed. The revised list is as follows:
 

It is very essential that we have the rank of all honored dead in both wars. If you have a correction of any rank or know the rank of any buddy not given, please sent it in to use. The inscription committee for the memorial is H. K. Staples, Hon. Bill Hamblen and I. T. Taylor. Send information to any of these three committee members.

It is our understanding that the American Legion Post wants the names of those who died or were killed in uniform that were selected or volunteered their service from Jackson County in both wars. The American Legion will be the one to pass final judgment on whose names go on this memorial and not the inscription committee. Our only duty is to make a roster of our honored dead in both wars and pass it on to the American Legion Post for their consideration.

Edna Weekly Herald, January 30, 1947
 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8556
Lolita, Texas
 

Lolita VFW Closes Doors
By Kendrick Callis, Staff Writer

In the never-ending battle of man versus time, time has won again and remains undefeated. After 50 years of dedicated service to the youth and citizens of Jackson County, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8556 in Lolita has officially disbanded.

“The closing of our post was inevitable,” said Harvin Suggs, most recent post commander. “It was getting more and more difficult for the members to complete their expected projects and at their age and health they thought it would be best to surrender the charter on their terms. We were able to  donate $16,000 to the Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops in Jackson County and transfer our weapons to the Yorktown Post. The property will be transferred over to the Lolita Volunteer Fire Department.”

Consisting mainly of WWII veterans, 26 charter members started Post 8556 in February 1961 with property donated by C. S. Mary Mitchell. Monthly meetings were held in the two bedroom home until money was borrowed to add a meeting room and other space. At its peak, there were 15 active members who every year sponsored the Voice of Democracy essay contest and put on Veterans Day programs for all three school districts. They also were responsible for providing full service at all military funerals. Because Lolita was a dry precinct when the Post was formed, it was one of the few posts in Texas not to have a beer license or to play bingo.

When the end came there were 46 members on the roster with only eight living members that came on a regular basis. Six of those eight Members mourn loss of post were 85 or older.

“There is no more VFW in Jackson County,” said Andy Brod, junior vice commander and former post commander. “I’m a life member and I plan to transfer my membership to the Victoria post. Just because this post has closed has not stopped me from being a proud veteran.”

 

Longtime post chaplain Wendell Hamilton said he was disappointed that the post closed down. “At the time we had to close we were participating in the burials and veteran’s affairs program that now we are no longer able to be involved in without having to transfer our memberships,” said Hamilton.

 

Like many other organizations and clubs, women played a key role in the VFW as well. The Ladies Auxiliary which was chartered in 1962 boasted 68 members at its peak and 43 when the post closed. There were six active ladies who came to the meetings faithfully. Auxiliary president Louise Cornejo said that she was disappointed that the post has closed.

“I’ve been a member for 41 years, president for the last four and president off and on for 15 years,” Cornejo said. “Our main projects were geared to help the veterans and their families any way we could. Each year we would put on the Voice of Democracy, Patriotic Pen and Patriotic Art contests for school children. Each August we would have our Drive for Cancer fundraisers which included a homemade ice cream social where all funds raised were donated for cancer aid and research. When a veteran or their wife passed on, we were there to help. Things have slowed down but I’m still active and plan to move my membership to the Victoria Chapter.”

Suggs, whose dad was a charter member, also noted that because of the decline in numbers not just for Post 8856 but in other smaller posts as well, the National VFW was trying to consolidate posts in smaller districts.

According to Suggs, the reasons for the decline in Lolita were two-fold. One was that the Vietnam veterans did not join the VFW. If they did join they did not go to the meetings because of the atmosphere in the United States at the end of the war. Second, the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were not really ‘joiners’ and if they did they would want more things to do and the older crowd did not attract many of them.

“Despite us closing our doors now, the Post 8556 did a lot of good for a lot of people,” said Suggs. “I knew many of the charter members and I hold a special place in my heart for the members we had when we closed. I consider them close friends and hate to lose the bond.” Suggs plans to transfer his membership to the Yorktown Chapter.

The American Legion in Ganado will handle military burials in the county and a VFW chapter in San Antonio can be contacted by local funeral homes as well.

Jackson County Herald Tribune, Wednesday, July 13, 2011

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