Submitted
by
Pearl
(Taylor) Vanderbilt
Marlin Democrat
November 19, 2008
Special Veterans Day, anniversary program
held
at Marlin’s First Presbyterian Church
THANK
YOU, VETERAN - Jim Cathey, left visits with
World War II veteran Jack Stem
following a special Veterans
Day Service and 90th anniversary of the
Armistice Day
celebration held at the First Presbyterian Church in Marlin
On
November 11, 1918, a celebration was held at the newly completed First
Presbyterian Church in Marlin following the signing of the Armistice to end the
war of all wars.
On November 11, 2008, in conjunction with the
anniversary and to pay tribute to our veterans, another celebration was held at
the church.
The program, co-sponsored by the First
Presbyterian Church and the Falls County Historical Commission began with a
welcome by Dr. F. H. Mitchell, pastor of the church, and Trudi Asbury, chair of
the Historical Commission. An opening prayer was delivered by Rev. William
Benner, Naval Chaplain (H, R.) followed by the Pledge of Allegiance lead by
Falls County Judge R. Steven Sharp. Judge Sharp then announced, the traditional
placing of the wreath in front of the Veteran's Memorial on the Courthouse
Square and the bell ringing ceremony, would not be held because of the inclement
weather.
Elizabeth Nelson, Mayor PreTem of the city of
Marlin addressed those gathered and read a letter from a veteran's wife about
"What do you say to a veteran".
The "Ragged Old Flag," a poem written by
country music legend Johnny Cash was then presented by Marlin's own storyteller,
Jim Cathey.
Jack Smith, representing State Senator Kip
Averitt who was not able to attend, recognized several veterans from Falls
County and gave a brief history of each which follows: Just over 69 years ago on
September 1, 1939, Germany sparking the start of world war two. Within two days,
Britain and France were at war with Germany and within a week, Australia, New
Zealand, Canada and South Africa had joined in the conflict. America did not
officially join the war until after December 4, 1941, when the Japanese attacked
the American naval station at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii causing great human
casualties and loss of many ships. This war involved the mobilization of over
100 million military personnel, making it the most widespread war in history.
Over 70 million people, the majority of them civilians, were killed, making it
the deadliest conflict in human history. Over 14 million allied military were
killed. Falls County is proud of the many men and women who served to preserve
our freedom.
Dr. Harold Owen Smith (deceased) was a surgeon
on naval war ships from 1942
-
1945 in the pacific. Dr. Smith received the personal commendation for his
service from Admiral Chester Nimitz. His son Harold, another doctor, his
daughter-in-law Pat and his grandson, Tommy still live in Marlin and are here
today.
Also with us today is Jack Stem, is another
veteran of the pacific conflict. Jack had just graduated from Waco High School
and was preparing to enroll in Baylor University where he had received an
athletic scholarship in swimming when the attack on Pearl Harbor came. Within a
few short months, he was drafted into active duty in the Army and was sent to
California for basic training Islands for jungle training. From there his group
was loaded onto a troop transport ship and headed for somewhere in the south
pacific they were not told where at that time but landed on Tinnian in the
Marianas islands.
Jack says they were securing one side of the island but could not leave because
the Japanese were still active in the jungles and mountains. The army was
building an air base and their job was to keep the enemy from stopping the
construction. Although they did not know it at the time this would be the air
base that would launch the American plane, "Enola Gay" which would drop the
atomic bomb ending the war. Jack was awarded the south pacific the after of
operation and 2 south pacific battle stars. Jack returned to the states, entered
Baylor, was a member of the swimming team, met the girl who would become his
wife and graduated. He took a job with the Marlin Veterans hospital, raised two
children and retired after 40 years of service. Virginia, his first wife went to
be with the Lord and several years later he married Jo who is
I
here today
The
Korean War refers to a period of conflict between north and South Korea regimes
with major hostilities lasting from June 25, 1950 until the armistice signed on
July 27, 1953. Both Koreas were attempting to reunify Korea under their
respective governments, with both sides supported by external powers, mainly the
United States and the Soviet Union. This war is often called the "forgotten war"
the 20th century that gets less attention than way, which preceded it, and the
Vietnam War, which succeeded it. But it was a costly war in every way with
nearly 34,000 dead, approximately 5,000 missing in action and over 7,000
prisoners of war. Nearly 3,000 POWs died in captivity. No one knows the costly
effects better than our own Phillip White.
Phillip, a native of Marlin joined the Army in 1948 and was captured by the
North Koreans on November 30, 1950 and remained a POW until august 14, 1953. He
is one of the longest held prisoners of war during this conflict. He tells of
living those 33 months and 17 days on rice, millet, and corn-a complete starch
diet. The prisoners received no medical care and often had severe digestive
problems from the poor diet. Many died and the other prisoners had to bury them
in the snow, but Phillip lived and came to continue service to his country until
he retired in 1972 as a Staff Sergeant (E-6). Phillip and his wife have six
children, three boys and three girls.
The
Vietnam is the longest military conflict in American history. By the end of the
war which began in 1965 with American combat troops and ended in 1973, there
were 58,000 American soldiers killed, 304,000 wounded and over 2500 unaccounted
for American prisoners, MIAs or killed in action/body not accounted for. This
was an extremely unpopular war causing civil unrest at home. But the young men
who were sent there did so with honor and a commitment to uphold the honor of
their country. We owe all of these men our sincere gratitude and heartfelt
thanks.
Pete Ramos grew up in Marlin. He joined the United States Marines Corps in 1964
and was sent to Vietnam where he served 14 months in the jungles of Vietnam as a
machine gunner. Pete, as a sergeant, and his company would be dropped into the
jungle and left there for months on end before being picked up. Hunger, snakes,
insects and constant dampness were as much an enemy as the real enemy itself.
Pete saw many of his men die and he himself was wounded on two different
occasions. During operation Double Eagle, his unit was awarded the presidential
unit citation from president Lyndon Johnson for defeating an extremely large
enemy force.
While in Vietnam, Pete became dear friends with an African-American soldier who
would later be appointed secretary of veteran's affairs by president Bill
Clinton. His name was James Brown (deceased).
Pete has two brothers who also served in Vietnam, and, on one major combat
operation ran into one of them.
Following the 14-month tour of duty in Vietnam, Pete was assigned to security
for NATO dignitaries, nuclear submarines and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Pete retired from the marines in 1968. Retiring to Marlin, he worked for the
Marlin VA. He and his wife, Corine, have four sons and a daughter.
Pete is now 100% disabled from his wounds and
time spent in Vietnam.
A
double honor goes to Ferman Anderson, a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam
War. A native of Marlin, he entered the Army in 1946. In 1950 he was sent to
Korea where he was wounded and was presented with the Purple Heart. Following
the Korean War he remained in the service and was sent to Vietnam where he was
once again wounded twice and received two purple hearts. He also received the
Vietnam service metal and the Vietnam campaign metal w/device. Ferman served in
the army for over 20 years and retired as a Specialist Sergeant E-6. He returned
to Marlin where he worked for Paul Ford dealership as a mechanic. Throughout the
years, he has used his skills as a mechanic to repair the automobiles of many
people who could not pay. Ferman considers this as his contribution to the
community. He also is a farmer. He is a trustee at the Marlin Missionary Baptist
Church and teaches Sunday school. He and his wife had four children. His wife
and daughter have gone to be with the Lord.
Desert storm, in contrast to Vietnam War, was
a very short-lived conflict. When Hussein invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the
United States quickly took action. Hussein refused to meet the dead line of
January 15, 1991
to remove his troops, the US
along with 34 other countries, began an invasion of Kuwait to force him out.
These strategies were successful and the Iraqi, republic guard was driven back
to bag dad. The US decided to end the conflict in February 1991. The superiority
of American forces and technology created a new kind of war. A war with only 148
causalities and of the 148, 31% were from friendly fire.
Gunnery Sergeant Michael Webber, a member of
the US Marine Corps, along with his
unit
was one of the first to
arrive in the country only days after the
Iraqi invasion. His unit was the first to attack Iraq in the opening hours of
Desert Storm. They remained in country after the cease-fire and were the last to
leave.
Following Desert Storm, Michael was deployed to Japan and Korea to provide
stability for the area and to train members of that country's military marines.
He has been sent throughout the Far East to offer operational support. His unit
was also involved in operation Iraqi freedom and enduring freedom.
Michael has received many commendations including the Navy/Marine Corps
commendation medal, five Navy/Marine Corps achievement medals, Presidential Unit
Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, five meritorious unit commendations, seven
good conduct medals, multiple rifle expert award, pistol expert award and the
list goes on. It will suffice to say that Michael Webber has been well trained
by the US Marine Corp and he in return has repaid them and his country by giving
outstanding service of competency and valor.
Michael and his wife, Regina, have two
children. They returned to Marlin to live after his retirement nom the Marines
in 2008, and he is employed by Golden Rail Construction.
Other veterans on hand were also recognized for service to their country, not
only in war, but in peacetime as well.
Rev. Benner gave the closing Prayer followed by Dr. Mitchell who delivered the
benediction.