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November 7, 2009

Honoring those who serve

Veteran’s Day activities in the county

By Deanna Brown

Daily Sun



Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, a day set aside to honor the service men and women who sacrificed for our country, for our freedom, will be even more poignant in light of the recent tragedy at Ft. Hood.

A former Ft. Hood resident, Staff Sgt. Jay Fondren will return to Corsicana to speak at the War Memorial on the courthouse grounds. A Corsicana native, Fondren served his country in Iraq, and lost both legs Nov. 24, 2004 when he was hit by an IED.

Both legs were severed above the knee, his right thumb was amputated, and he came close to losing his right arm and hand, as well. Covered in prayer by his fellow Navarro Countians, Fondren’s solid faith in God and his own will and determination sustained him through the many months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and afterward.

Now living in Robinson, Fondren is working as a veteran services representative at Waco VA Regional, and as assistant Operation Iraqi Freedom case manager.

“When guys are getting out of the military, being medically separated either due to an injury or PTSD, we process their claims for benefits, and set them up with exams,” he said. “We also get them started with VA benefits, and help them transition from military salary over to VA benefits. I’ve done all that myself, so I’m very familiar with the process. I can tell them what to expect.”

Fondren and wife Anne are parents to Micah, 5, Will, age 3, and Benjamin will turn 1 on Thanksgiving Day. They are expecting another baby in April, and both are hoping for a girl this time. The entire family has been hit with illness, and Micah was hospitalized at Hillcrest in Waco, then careflighted to Scott & White Hospital, where he was placed in pediatric ICU this week.

When Fondren pulled into the hospital on Thursday to see his son, he said hospital employees were lining up to give blood for people at Ft. Hood. The Fondrens were based at Ft. Hood for some time, and still have friends there.

“Most of my guys that I know are deployed right now, but we have been trying to check on everyone we know still at Ft. Hood,” he said. “Not only does this affect the Ft. Hood and Killeen area, but that base has people from all over the United States, so this tragedy has far-reaching ties.”

Fondren will return to Corsicana Wednesday to give what promises to be a meaningful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who choose to serve their country.

The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on the Navarro County Courthouse northwest lawn. It will include Heaven Bound Choir from Northside Baptist Church, Les Grayson, Navarro County Sheriff’s Office honor guard, Dr. Rick Lamb and Tim Easley. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the County Courtroom.

On Tuesday, Frost Independent School District will have a Veteran’s Day program at 6:30 p.m. at the Frost Performing Arts Center. Veterans will be recognized and the public is welcome.

Also Tuesday, the Corsicana High School choir will have a concert at 7 p.m. at Northside Baptist Church, 2800 N. Beaton St., and the public is welcome.

Wednesday, the Navarro College Veterans Organization will host a ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Gooch Courtyard on the college campus. Patriotic music and comments by Dr. Tommy Stringer will highlight Veteran’s Day. This event is also open to residents of Navarro County.

Blooming Grove Elementary School will have its traditional Veteran’s Day program at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria. All veterans, as well as the public, are invited.

—————

Deanna Brown may be contacted via e-mail at deanna@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Sound Off” on this story? E-mail soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.

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