Proudly, we salute
Robert Turner rings the bell after each name of a Purple Heart recipient was read. | Clif Knight
Purple Heart recipients honored at ceremony in Hartselle Saturday
Morgan and Cullman County recipients of the Purple Heart—the nation’s oldest military medal—were honored at an impressive ceremony conducted at the Purple Heart Memorial in Hartselle on Saturday.
The ceremony, which featured the ringing of a bell after the pronouncement of each recipient’s name, was sponsored by the Finis J. Self Chapter 2212 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Reading the names were State Senator Arthur Orr, R-Decatur; Maj. Gen. James Myles (Retired) of Huntsville, State Representative Ed Henry, R-Hartselle and Kenneth Kilgo, mayor of West Point.
“We’re here to honor those from Cullman and Morgan County who have received the Purple Heart,” said General Myles, the guest speaker. “This is about us putting our arms around the stars—those who have gone into battle in our nation’s defense and spilt blood to keep us free.”
“Our military personnel are as good as they’ve ever been and they continue to pay a price for all of us,” he added.
Attending the ceremony were an estimated 200 family members of Purple Heart recipients.
Mrs. Ausie L. Clement Jr. of Athens was one of them. Her late husband served in Vietnam and later retired as an Army captain with the Purple Heart medal.
“I think it’s great to have a memorial service for Purple Heart recipients,” she said, “We can’t do too much to honor those who have given their lives or spilt their blood for our country.”
A charter member of Chapter 2212, Wayne Lackey Sr. said he fought in Korea and Vietnam and served in the Army for 27 years. He added proudly that he and his four brothers combined served in military for 92 years.
Roy Alford of Birmingham said he attended the ceremony in honor of a brother, Otis Alford, who was killed in the Korean War, an uncle, Gene Sivley, who was killed at Pearl Harbor in World War II and his wife’s uncle, Gene Sivley, who died in the Philippines while serving in World War II.
Clifford Gissell, Chapter 2212 commander, welcomed guests and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brewer JROTC cadets Josh Childers, Joey Turrentine and James Speck posted the colors and SFC Donna Johnson sang the National Anthem. ENell Baker sag “Spirit of America,” a song she wrote.
George Mills, a WWII Prisoner of War, gave a presentation on the POW/MIA table.
Steve Larsen closed the ceremony by playing taps.
The following Purple Heart recipients were honored at the Purple Heart Ceremony conducted at the Purple Heart Memorial in Hartselle on Saturday:
Lyle Absher, WWII; Paul Absher, WWII; George Alford, WWII; Ottis F. Alford, Korea; Alfred J. Ashton Jr., Vietnam; Kermit C. Barnett, WWII; Lloyd C Bates, WWII; David A. Bean, WWII; Billy Joe Beard, Vietnam; Dexter Bell, Vietnam; Baskem Bennett, WWII; Royce Bennett, WWII; Robert J. Blair, WWII; Ray Bowman, WWII/Korea; Ulyes Bowman, WWII/Korea/Vietnam; Cornis Bradford, WWII; Warren Brindley, WWII;
Charles W. Brown, WWII; John S. Burnett, WWII; Ernest D. Burrow, WWII; Howard E. Bynum, WWII; Athel Calvert, WWII; Marion D. Calvert, Vietnam; William E. Cammon, WWII; James Caretti, WWII; Joseph L. Chambers, WWII; R.M. Chenault, WWII; William A. Cheuvront, WWII; Ashford H. Christopher, WWII; Aussie Clement, Vietnam; Grover A. Cobb, WWII POW; M.L. Cox, Korea; Zelma Curnel, WWII; Earl Davis, WWII; Warner F. Dingler, WWII; Bluit A. Drain, WWII, Jimmy C. Elrod, Vietnam; James M. Eubanks, WWII;
Raymond Everly, WWII/Koria/Vietnam; Willie W. Foshee, WWII; Charles R. Friedrich, WWII; Marvin H. Galin, WWII; William E. Glasscock, WWII; Troy R. Glenn, Iraq; Charles G. Glover, WWII; John D. Greene, Vietnam; O’Neal Greenhill, WWII; Eskine L. Girgsby, Vietnam; Shelba Harbison, WWII; Macon Hardwick, WWII; Gary Harris, Vietnam; James F. Hawkins, WWII; UYLESS V. HAYNES, WWII;
William A. Hendon, Korea/Vietnam; James E. Higdon, WWII; James Hoffman, WWII; Luther F. Holmes, WWII; Joe R. Hooper, Vietnam/Medal of Honor; Robert P. Hopkins, WWII; Lonie Horton, WWIIPOW; Hartwell R. Howington, WWII; James Hughes, WWII; Bruce M. Hurt, Korea; Richard J. Hyche Sr., WWII; James D. Johnson, WWII; James P. Johnson, WWII; John P. Jones, WWII; Marion A. Jones, WWII; Ottis Kilgo, WWII; Billy R. Laney, Vietnam; Jon-Erik Loney, Iraq;
Erskine L. Maddox, WWII; Albert O. Mayhall, Vietnam; Joseph A. McAnnally, WWII; Samie G. McAnnally, WWII; George D, McCall, WWII; Darril R. Carl E. Melton, Melvin W. Miller, WWII; Norval Miner, Korea; John A. Molitor, Korea O POW; Travis Nelson, Iraq; Arthur L. Nesmith, WWII; Clarence D. Nicholson, WWII; Freeman L. Norwood, WWIIPOW; Fred Nothdurft, WWII; Henry G. Nunn, WWI; Jim D. Perry, Vietnam; Verbon Pinyan, WWII;
James D. Player, WWII; James Prater, Vietnam; Frank Puckett Jr., WWII; Rube E, Puckett, WWII; J.C. Queen, WWII POW; John R. Racster, WWII; Carlton Ragsdale, WWII; Joshua Rath, Afghanistan; Millard C. Reeves, WWII; Jimmy L. Riddle, Vietnam; Arville L. Roberts, WWII; Robert Q. Rollins, WWII; Alvin Rose, Vietnam; Alfred L. Sachs, WWII; Cecil Samples, WWII; Reubin Sandlin, WWII; Johnny B. Sewell, Vietnam; H.W. Shoemaker, WWII;
Charles A. Simpson, WWII; Harold Singleton, WWII; Gene Sivley, WWII; Donald Slateen, Korea; Jonathan L. Smith, Iraq; Fred M. Speake Jr., WWII; Kerry L. Stephenson, Vietnam; Coy Stinnett, WWII; Horace Ray Turner, WWII POW; Harry R. Vandecar, WWII; Loenard L. Vernon, WWII
Truman C, Ward, Vietnam; Vernon Ward, WWII; Mel F. Waterman, WWII; Hershel Weeks, WWII; Charles H. West, WWII; Millard A. Williams, WWII; and Percy R. Woodard, WWII.
