A fitting tribute

To the Editor: Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tim Easley and others have done an outstanding job with the War Memorial monuments at our Navarro County Courthouse frontage area. The Monday, May 25, observance of Navarro County’s war casualties was on a beautiful day and attended by a large crowd. Cpl. William O’Brien, killed in action in Iraq in 2008, was remembered by family and close friends in a moving testimony of the type of young man he was. Many of us Navarro County residents have family or friends who gave their life for our freedom.

Three of my childhood buddies were killed in the Vietnam War. Ben Rameriz, whom I played with on the ninth grade football team at old Corsicana Junior High in 1957, was a non-combat casualty. Ben and I had an agreement. He would teach me to play the guitar and I would make sure a pass play was called to his right-end position. Ben would catch a pass once in every game, although I was not successful with the guitar. Ronnie Martin, killed in action on Jan. 1, 1968, and I worked at King’s Food, 1430 W. Seventh, Corsicana, while attending old Corsicana High School. Ronnie had a sparkling personality and would have had a successful life in the business world. Harlow Rawls was a 1960 CHS graduate and 1964 Texas A&M; graduate. 1st Lt. Harlow Rawls, U.S. Navy, plane was shot down on April 9, 1969. Harlow and I were on the CHS track team 50 years ago in the spring of 1959. Our CHS track team took six first place finishes and Harlow’s second in the mile run to the regional meet at SMU’s Ownby Stadium. Harlow grew up at the Old Corsicana State Home, a quiet and easy to get along with type of kid. I’m sure 50 years from now, Cpl. William O’Brien’s friends will have pleasant memories of him in his youth at Rice.

Jim Basham



Patriotic request

To the Editor: Every year flags are put out at Resthaven Memorial Park to honor our loved ones on Memorial Day. This year no flags were put out.

Please bring the flags back!

Sincerely,

Harold McElhenney’s daughter,

Vicki C. McElhenney Barber



Politically speaking

To the Editor: There is the possibility of America averting the horror of domination by the ungodly Arabs. The only hope is for Americans to heed the admonition in God’s conduct manual, “humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) A majority of America’s people have and continue to brazenly offend the God of all creation. I claim no right to speak as God’s ordained voice, He has no need for me to do so because He has by divine inspiration wrote His own manual for proper belief, and conduct.

It does not take a lot of spiritual discernment to realize that support of a candidate who sat for 20 years listening to an anti-Christ preacher, has voted to kill unborn and born alive babies, and is in favor of the practice of perversion, cannot be Christ-like, which is paramount qualification of a born-again person. Neither is he who committed these grievous sins. He and those who voted for him are both guilty of violating not only the laws of God, but the will of God. There is no way a Christian could have voted for the pseudo-president of the United States.

The nation is woefully sick unto death, and there is no earthly remedy. The healing of the nation will only come from God, or it will never come.

For you who listened to proclaimers attempt to justify voting for someone who condones killing babies, and condones perverts need to run, not walk, from their presence.

The nation is sick, and there is only one cure. Are you willing to assume your responsibility to see that correction comes as quickly as possible?

Carter Hart



Community focus

To the Editor: I want to thank everyone who was a part of our Tea Party on April 15 in front of the Corsicana Government Center. It was fun to meet so many great folks and let off some steam together. Many of you wanted to do more future events. One that happens every year and is dear to my heart is the tribute done on Sept. 11 at Bunert Park near our beautiful large flag. We honor all those lost on that sad day in New York, the Pentagon and on the plane that crashed. They were our fellow Americans and we must never forget. We also honor our military and all first responders who daily put their lives on the line for us. Meet me Sept. 11 at the flag and be a part of that great event.

Vicky Prater