Monday is Veterans Day. The aim of this column is, within the allotted space, to honor a few of the many residents of this area who have proudly served their country in the U.S. armed forces.

Nov. 15, 1917 – J. A. Rountree, Enquirer founding editor, has received a cablegram from his son, Asa Jr., stating that he has “arrived safely” in England where he is to complete his training for the aviation service and do “his bit” on the firing lines for his country.

Nov. 17, 1940 – It is highly likely that members of Troop C, the Hartselle unit of the National Guard, will be mobilized for active military service in the near future even though the United States is not yet formally at war.

Dec. 5, 1940 – Harvey Leldon Johnson, age 28, of Hartselle, Local Board No. 2, was one of the two men to volunteer for the induction of Morgan Countys first inductees in the peacetime selective service system. He will leave Friday morning for Fort McClellan at Anniston to begin a year’s training.

Nov. 16, 1941 – Pvt. Charles Oden is now stationed at Camp Crouder, Mo.

Nov. 12, 1942 – Coach J. C. Pettey is presently posted at Davisville, R.I., as a member of the U.S. Navy.

Nov. 14, 1946 – Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Pattillo are eagerly awaiting the return of their son, Hugh, for the Thanksgiving holidays. He is a student at the Gulf Coast Military Academy. (Major Pattillo later served in both Korea and Vietnam.)

Nov. 14, 1949 – Hartselle native Ferrell A. Rollins has left the U.S. Navy after many years’ service and is now raising cattle.

Dec. 13, 1953 – Pfc. Roy P. Roberts of Camp Bliss, Tex. arrived Monday to spend a ten-day holiday furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy P. Roberts, Sr., and brother Curly.

Nov. 11, 1955-Mayor John Burleson signed a proclamation designating today as Veterans Day in Hartselle. This is a solemn occasion honoring both living and deceased soldiers of all American wars. Bobby Cain played taps following a memorial service at the Methodist church.

Nov. 12, 1959 – David Buckalew is now a private in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Oct. 20, 1961 – Glenn T. Wright, who is stationed with the U.S. Air Force at Keesler AFB in Mississippi has been promoted to Air 2C. Airman Wright is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Silas Wright and has been in the service for a little over a year.

May 30, 1977 – Lt.-Col. Ralph Pattillo has now been officially listed as “missing in action” for ten years. It is believed his plane was shot down over Laos.

Nov.13, 1983 – First Sgt. Thomas E. (Pete) McCutcheon has recently completed 35 years of military service.

Nov. 17, 2002 – Students at Danville-Neel Elementary School, under the leadership of first grade teacher Kim Smith, have presented a quilt they helped make to Thomas Ozbolt, currently a member of the U.S. Navy.

Nov. 11, 2003 – Students at Hartselle Junior High have now found and registered 140 veterans’ graves in the city cemetery. Among these resting places is that of Hartselle author, William Huie, who served during World War II.

Nov. 13, 2003 – George Mann serves as commander of the Finis J. Self Chapter 2212. Military Order of the Purpose Heart. Mr. Mann, a Falkville resident, was awarded two purple hearts as a result of wounds sustained during World War II combat.

Dec. 29, 2003 – U.S. Army Spec. Jerry Poland received a letter recently from Hope Lewis, a 10-year-old Crestline Elementary student. After getting it he wrote Hope telling her that this was all he got for Christmas and how happy it made him.