Remembering Our Local Veterans

Footprints Of Fayette

Fayette County is one of the most historic counties in Texas. In this weekly feature from the County Historical Commission, a rotating group of writers looks back at local history.

As our country commemorates Veterans Day, a few words seem to be in order. The term Armistice Day was originally used to commemorate the end of hostilities of World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1945, a World War II veteran had the idea of a national holiday that would honor all war veterans. In 1954, Congress replaced the annual “Armistice Day” holiday with “Veterans Day.” There have been some changes as to which day the federal holiday was celebrated, but its present date, November 11, was reestablished in 1978. In celebrations across America there will be speeches, parades, and presentations by schools and other organizations. Both veterans and civilians will honor the service of deceased veterans by placing flags in the city cemeteries, and even in some of the rural cemeteries. Feature stories will be written for newspapers, TV specials will be presented, or some type of “war movie” replayed on TV.

In Fayette County, many of our veterans have been honored in publications. The Men and Women of World War II from Fayette County, published soon after the war, included local veterans and listed their family members, branch and dates of service. Each entry was accompanied by a photograph. However, quite a few of the WWII veterans were not included and a second, more inclusive volume was printed in 1995, originating from the office of the Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka.

Many of the returning veterans who experienced combat would later say very little of their experiences. We are fortunate to have local authors such as Elaine Thomas, who interviewed and wrote many of the stories of our local veterans in World War II Veterans’ Voices and Home Front Memories. Another great resource, World War II Memories, compiled by Florence Hertel Farek, gives valuable information about our local veterans.

But then, there are those who have been forgotten. While graveyards falling into disrepair is a common and lamentable occurrence, it is especially poignant on days like this. Sometimes gravestones are the only remaining evidence we have of a life of service and sacrifice.

As an example, about 10 miles east of La Grange lies the grave of a Spanish-American War veteran. A few feet away lies the grave of a WWII Navy veteran. Not far from these lie the grave of anArmy veteran from WWII. Until a few years ago, this cemetery was covered in Johnson grass standing six feet high. Two of the government issued tombstones had fallen over, and the other had sunk into the ground and lay covered up with dirt and debris.

About six miles north of La Grange a cemetery was obscured from sight by a stand of assorted brush. When this cemetery was finally cleared of grasses standing 4 feet high, the grave of a young WWI veteran was exposed once more. To the west of La Grange another cemetery was merely a stand of brush and briars. The grave of a Vietnam veteran was long covered up and obscured from sight by undesirable flora.

This story of forgotten graves of veterans could go on and on throughout our county, with so many graveyards in dire need of cleaning and maintenance, and no flags or flowers placed to honor them. Fayette County, this Veterans Day, let’s remember our veterans with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

In closing, read the words of President Woodrow Wilson in a 1918 proclamation: “Our gallant armies have participated in a triumph which is not marred or stained by our purpose of selfish aggression. In a righteous cause they have won immortal glory and have nobly served their nation in serving mankind.” And the words of President Harry S. Truman, after the surrender of the Axis powers in the European Theater, 1945: “Let us not forget, my fellow Americans, the sorrow and the heartache, which today abide in the homes of so many of our neighbors—neighbors whose most priceless possession has been rendered as a sacrifice to redeem our liberty.”

Sources: Wikipedia War Room Podcast World War II: Truman Speeches