Benefit for Pfc. Kevin Wear

To the Editor: As Mayor of the City of Rice, a small town on the border of Navarro and Ellis county lines, I am writing you personally, on behalf of Pfc. Kevin Wear’s family and our close-knit community, to ask that you public the following so the citizens of our county and beyond might have an opportunity to show their appreciation and turn out in numbers this Sunday for a benefit for the family of yet another injured soldier who narrowly escaped paying the ultimate price that so many of our young heroes have paid in the war against terrorism.

On Oct. 12, 2000, our community mourned the loss of Yeoman Timothy Gauna, U.S. Navy, who was stationed on the USS Cole and on March 15, 2008, we lost Army Cpl. William D. O’Brien, a young hero at 19, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Now, once again we learn of a fatal attack on an U.S. Army vehicle struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), in Afghanistan while on patrol and once again our community awakens to learn that one of our young soldiers from Rice, Pfc. Kevin Wear, lay severely injured suffering brain damage and numerous broken bones while two of his closest friends were killed and his sergeant wounded as well.

Kevin was employed by The Home Depot in Corsicana for five years and had only been deployed in Afghanistan for four months with the U.S. Army. He had volunteered to go to Afghanistan to relieve some of the soldiers there so they could come home and have some time with their families. Kevin and his wife have five children and live in Rice.

A benefit for Pfc. Kevin Wear will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at the IOOF Event Center in Corsicana at 1 p.m. Donations can be made to Kevin Wear and mailed to the City of Rice, P.O. Box 97, Rice, TX 75155.

With my sincere appreciation and gratitude,

Larry Bailey,

Mayor

City of Rice



Grateful for support

To the Editor: On behalf of the City of Corsicana Parks and Recreation Department and local fishing-angler Sam McCollum, we would like to thank the contributors to the 13th annual “Hooked on Fishing” event.

It was a wonderful day with 506 registered participants along with their families and friends, and the many volunteers. Congratulations to the tournament and raffle winners.

A sincere “Thank You” goes out to: Jane McCollum, who works tiredously to ensure the success of the event. Thank you for all the late nights spent organizing, planning, and preparing for Hooked On Fishing. Each year, you give so much time and energy, we cannot say “thank you” enough.  To our sponsors, A & J Lawn Care & Landscape, Bass Champs, Brookshire’s Food Stores, C. L “Buster” Brown, Candy Cane Corner Day Care, Katherine C. Carmody Trust –Bank of America, Chuck's Paint & Body Shop, Citizen’s National Bank, Clear Signal Radio, Collin Street Bakery, Comal Tackle, Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Community Water Co., Corley Funeral Home, Corsicana Bedding Inc., Corsicana Daily Sun, Corsicana Emergency Corp, Corsicana Fire Department, Corsicana Glass & Mirror Company, Corsicana Police Department,  Corsicana Monday Rotary Club , Crème Lures, Custom T’s & Sporting Goods, Donica Construction & Development LLC,  Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.,  Mr. Frank Dunn,  Mr. Frank Hull, Upland Bird Country, J. Tom Eady Charitable Trust–Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Rena Fleming Foundation for Youth-Community National Bank & Trust of Texas, Gander Mountain, Perry D. Graham Charitable Trust-Bank of America, Brad Haynie & Family, H-E-B Food Stores, I-45 Sales, KAND 1340 AM, Karlik Catch & Release, Kohl’s Associates in Action, Lewis Palos, McKee Lumber, Mrs. Baird's Bread Co/Bimbo Bakeries USA, Navarro County Abstract Co., Navarro Regional Hospital, Oak Cove Marina, Oil City Ironworks, Ole Foods #502, P & S Pharmacy,  Vince Palasota, Prater Builders, Preferred Repair & Diagnostics, Russell Stover Candies,  Sardis Tire & Wheel, Sign Pros, Solar Turbines, T & Company Gift Shop, Texas Engine & Transmissions, Wal*Mart Super Center,  Ward Insurance & Financial Services, Watkins Construction Co. LLC, Winters Oil Partners LP, Wooded Acres Campground, Robert York PC, Robert and Gretchen Young, and all the organized volunteers that assisted with registration, grilling and concession items, weigh-ins and the bait and tackle booth.

Because of caring sponsors and the many enthusiastic volunteers, the 13th Annual Hooked On Fishing Event was another huge success. Again, thank you for supporting the City of Corsicana’s summer programs.

Best,

Sharla Allen, Parks Director

Sam McCollum, Tournament Director