Dateline: June 3, 2004

Memorial Day services honor fallen heroes 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

A hero of World War II joined local veterans’ organizations this past weekend in paying tribute to those citizens who have given their lives for freedom’s cause.

The commander of the most decorated infantry platoon to come out of a single engagement in the history of the United States addressed events at Rowe Cemetery and on the Courthouse Square. Major John Keith Wells (USMCR retired) led the men who raised the flag at Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, – an event that was immortalized by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal in one of the most famous images of World War II.

Wells recalled that victorious battle during ceremonies Monday at the Donley County War Memorial hosted by the Donley County Memorial Post 7782 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He said his platoon never stopped once they landed on Iwo Jima, and he personally was injured so severely that he did not make it to the mountaintop. His men later carried him to the top.

“I want to honor the men who fought at Iwo,” Wells said. “Most of them were killed or wounded. There’s no way I can give them enough credit. They fought, they fought, they fought.”

In opening remarks for the event, VFW District Commander-elect Bill Holden praised the veterans of World War II, calling them “our greatest generation” and noting that of 16 million veterans, only one in four is alive today.

The men and women who served in that conflict are dying at a rate of 1,100 per day, he said.

“The generals and the politicians get the glory,” Holden said. “But it is the ordinary people we depend on. Our responsibility to remember their sacrifices does not end on Memorial Day.”

Special recognition was given to local veterans of WWII and to Army Spc. G.J. Martindale of Clarendon, who was present on leave from the conflict in Iraq.

Other highlights of Monday’s ceremony included the reading of a Memorial Day Resolution of the Commissioners’ Court by County Judge Jack Hall, the posting of the colors by Boy Scout Troop 433, and the singing of the National Anthem by Katy Askew.

Earlier Monday, local Girl Scouts hoisted the colors in a brief ceremony at Citizens Cemetery.

On Saturday, Wells also spoke when the Adamson-Lane Post #287 of the American Legion held services at the Veterans Memorial near the north entrance of Rowe Cemetery outside of Hedley.