Dateline: November 8, 2007

Legion honors two vets 

Two Donley County men – Calvin S. Holland and M.O. Weatherly – were honored when American Legion members from across the Panhandle gathered at Clarendon College October 27 for their annual fall district convention.

District Commander Barry Schoenhals of Darrouzett was very pleased with the convention, which was hosted by Hedley’s Adamson-Lane Post 287.

“I’ve been to dozens of conventions at various levels, and this was clearly one of the best,” Schoenhals said. “I can’t compliment Post 287 and Clarendon College enough as they were simply outstanding in their efforts to make us feel welcome. The facilities and the food were perfect.”

The convention was dedicated to WWII veterans Weatherly and Holland, according to Post 287 Commander Jack Moreman.

Monte O’Neal Weatherly was sworn into the Army on August 3, 1944, in Oklahoma City. After a stint in Ft. Still and training at Camp Fannin in Tyler, Weatherly was sent to Europe, where he crossed the English Channel and was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division. He was engaged in the Battle of the Bulge, which lasted 43 days from December 16 through January 28, 1945. The battle led to the defeat of Hitler’s army, afterwhich the 106th was assigned to guard many German prisoners of war.

Weatherly’s division was then sent back to the US to prepare for the invasion of the Japanese mainland. But while on ship two days out of New York, they learned about the two atomic bombs the US had dropped on Japan and the subsequent surrender of that empire.

Following the war, Weatherly was sent to Texas and served as an MP on troop trains between Ft. Worth and El Reno, Okla., and later troop movement to Sweetwater. He was discharged on January 2, 1946, in San Antonio. He served 35 years as Hedley’s city manager and also served as manager of the Rowe Cemetery and justice of the peace during that time. He joined Hedley’s Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion in 1950; and today, his son, Gary, and grandson, Curtis, are both members also.

Calvin S. Holland, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Holland, went Missing In Action when his plane was shot down on the west coast of Borneo October 24, 1944.

Holland was born in Donley County on August 19, 1924, and graduated from Lelia Lake High School at age 16 in 1941. He joined the US Army in 1943, was inducted at Ft. Sill, Okla., and was trained at the Laredo Air Force Base. He served on a B-24 bomber crew as a gunner and radar operator with the Thirteenth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific. At the time of his disappearance during a reconnaissance mission, Holland had flown approximately 30 missions.

Holland’s elder brother, Eldon, was also in the Air Force in the region and traveled to Morati Island when he learned of Calvin’s disappearance. He learned that Holland’s plane had radioed that they were hit, were on fire, and were attempting a nighttime water landing. That was the last anyone heard from them.

Holland’s older brother, Bufford, still resides in Donley County.

Sixty-five delegates and guests attended the convention, which featured keynote remarks from Vietnam veteran and Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell and an outstanding welcome from Clarendon College Interim President Bill Auvenshine.

Schoenhals opened the convention and introduced guests, which included Conrad Roberson of Odessa and James McNair and Everett Bills, both of El Paso. District Auxiliary President Susan Wheatly of Darrouzett instructed Paula Raney of Austin and Martha Colis of Amarillo.

Schoenhals also presented the District Commander’s Trophy to Amarillo Post 54 for having the most delegates in attendance. Giving up the trophy was Darrouzett Post 635, which had an equal number. The commander also presented achievement awards to posts from Amarillo, Claude, Stratford, Tulia, Memphis, and Darrouzett.

Representatives from posts and auxiliary units attended from Hedley, Shamrock, Claude, Amarillo, Stratford, Darrouzett, Tulia, Memphis, El Paso, Odessa, Austin, Plainview, and Logan, New Mexico.

The informational session featured KACV-TV’s Cullen Lutz, who serves as the coordinator for the Panhandle WWII Stories Project. She reminded attendees that the stories of WWII need to be recorded and discussed how her program can help with that.

The convention concluded with a joint memorial service coordinated by District Chaplain Roger Dempsey and his wife, Debbie, of Darrouzett.

In 2007, District 18’s achievements  were historic, earning them one of the top spots in the Department of Texas. During the year, district officers received two Department Awards of Merit, Department Legionnaire of the Year, and District Goal Award; were winners of the National Race to the Top; and were delegates to the national convention in Reno, Nev.