Veterans Honored as Carroll County War Memorial is Dedicated

The tantalizing aromas from the Relay for Life's concession booth welcomed hungry visitors to the event for which they had come - the dedication of the Carroll County War Memorial. Many were transported to the park aboard the ISTEA (pronounced Ice(d) Tea) Express, a quaint little train pulling open-air carloads of passengers, which added to the old-time, festive atmosphere.

Veterans wearing red carnations milled about, the majority making their way to stands facing the stage upon which dignitaries would soon address the crowd, while the Huntingdon High School Band sat, instruments in hand, ready for their important role in the ceremony.

Nearby, Marines and National Guardsmen, impeccable in dress and manner, waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. Lt. Colonel Dennis Arinello, Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics for the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic expressed feelings of honor in being allowed to be a part of the evening's events.

Bailey Wrinkle was never more handsome than on this night, dressed in a crisp, tan Navy dress uniform, with a smile that has become brighter since his recent journey home from Greece. Hard days spent aboard the same type of landing craft ship upon which he served during the Korean War and the long trip home aboard the vessel have acted as a youth potion of sorts, increasing his always-energetic demeanor.

Many of the men who took their places side by side in the stands fought their way across Europe during World War II, or served during that war to support those on the front lines, each one's function as important as the next. Among them as well were men and women who served in Viet Nam, in Korea, in Desert Storm, and during times of peace. Before them, the citizens of Carroll County lay their collective hearts, in tribute offering a multitude of thanks and grateful prayers for the sacrifices they made to keep the United States free; who have allowed the majority of us to never know the sights and smells of war or the heartrending fear and misery of nights and days spent wet, cold or hot, exhausted and hungry - and lonely for a far-away home and family.

The Huntingdon High School band signaled the beginning of the event with patriotic fanfare, after which the USMC Color Guard presented the colors before a hushed audience with awe-inspiring grace and precision. Citizens pledged allegiance to the flag following a presentation of the "National Anthem" by the high school band, after which Donald Parish opened the ceremony with prayer, ending the invocation by asking that "no name ever be added to this monument except for a cause that be just in Your sight."

Billy Cary, President of Carroll Bank and Trust and Trustee for the Wright Charitable Trust, gave an enlightening and noteworthy history of the Wright family in whose behalf a sizeable contribution was made toward the memorial. The history revealed that the Wright family, with a long and illustrious history in Carroll County, also participated in many of the country's military campaigns, including the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II.

In a moving tribute to each branch of the armed services, the band played the "Armed Forces Salute" - a medley of themes representing the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines - with veterans from each group standing as their familiar theme was performed. Among those veterans were our own great living heroes - men like Dwayne Pearson, who as a member of the famed "Big Red One" survived the rigors of war in close combat and life as a prisoner of war under a ruthless enemy, and Vernon Bobo, who took up an anti-tank gun and extra round of ammunition to move forward to confront a German tank which he then took out as it turned to set its sights on him, with a blow to its turret, then - four times wounded - returned home as the war came to an end. Likely, countless other heroes whose stories we have not been privileged to learn were also guests at the dedication that honored those who died while revering those who served to survive.

While music appropriate to each era in history played in the background, Donald Parish delivered a moving account of each war in which Carroll Countians have participated, setting out the numbers in each war of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Since 1846, a total of 328 Carroll County soldiers have fought and died for their countries in the following wars:

* Mexican War (1846-48) - 68

* Civil War (1861-65) - 116

* Spanish-American War (1898) - 1

* World War I (1917-1919) - 41

* World War II (1941-45) - 77

* Korea (1950-53) - 12

* Vietnam (1964-73) - 13

* Gulf War (1990-91) - 0

In a moving and heartfelt speech, Mayor Dale Kelley first acknowledged Thomas Park as an appropriate setting for the memorial as the original site of the train depot in Huntingdon, with the completion of the rail lines taking place after the Civil War, in 1868. From that time until passenger service was discontinued on January 2, 1953, service men and women leaving or returning from military service found the depot a common link. Sadly, the mayor acknowledged, many who left from the depot did not return.

"The most appropriate reason for our gathering is quite obvious," he said earnestly, "it is to honor these we consider our heroes."

While numbers tell a tragic story, underlining the cost of war while invoking gratitude for and by those heroes who survived to walk among us as normal men and women, Mayor Kelley insists that numbers are insufficient in remembering those who cannot give voice to their experiences; who cannot be honored appropriately enough with medals tucked away by family members long years ago.

"In Huntingdon," he spoke authoritatively, "we wanted to show our great respect and gratitude for the courageous Carroll County soldiers whose names have generally been forgotten. They went to war for all we hold dear... They died in combat or from combat wounds... We wanted to recognize them by name."

He likened the memorial to the stones that were placed by Joshua, under direction from God, "to mark the place where the Israelites crossed over the River Jordan into the Promised Land, as God delivered them from their wilderness wanderings."

He repeated the instructions that were given to Joshua concerning the stones: "...When your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of Jordan was cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

"So our monument and the setting of these stones memorializes the courageous sacrifices by the soldiers from Carroll County," Mayor Kelley stated.

In a lesson of war that has been learned, and often forgotten, by each generation of men since time immemorial - that war is not a glorious pursuit, but is, rather, a horrifying, lonely sacrifice made by men and women in the prime of their lives; that the only glory is in the ends of war: that we remain free, that evil is subverted, and that peace once more is allowed to reign -  Mayor Kelley stressed, "We do not glorify war, we gratefully acknowledge the sacrifice made by these soldiers and thank them for what we now enjoy. We stand amazed at their courage and stamina. Those who went found no glory in what they had to do."

He concluded his remarks with the final purpose of the monument: "This memorial will stand, as the one in Joshua's day, as a reminder to future generations. As traffic passes this place and people stop to read, many previously unrecognized heroes of the past will be remembered. It is right and timely that we honor our war dead. May America and Carroll County never forget."

A beautiful red and white wreath bedecked with a red, white and blue ribbon was placed respectfully at the base of the monument by McKenzie's Bailey Moore Wrinkle, a Korean War Navy veteran, and Lt. Col. Dennis Arinello, of the United States Marines, after which the 21-gun salute was delivered at the rear of the crowd by Huntingdon's own National Guardsmen as Henry Simpson of Huntingdon played taps with dramatic precision.

AWOL (All Walks of Life) sang a moving rendition of "God Bless the U.S.A. as the United States' flag was raised from half- to full-mast before an inspired audience to complete the poignant dedication ceremony.
    

The Role of the Wright Charitable Trust in the Carroll County War Memorial

 
Billy Cary, President of Carroll County Bank and Trust and Trustee for the Wright Charitable Trust, delivered an extraordinary history of the Neill A. (Doc) and Bela Wright family by way of explaining why the Trust Committee at the Carroll County Bank and Trust chose to make a contribution to the memorial fund on their behalf.

"They would be pleased," he said, "to know that the names of the brave individuals engraved on these monuments are being permanently preserved."

The facts of their history is set out below, as Mr. Carey related it on the evening on June 30, 2001:

* Doc was the son of Neil and Verda Allison Wright of Huntingdon. Their home is now known as the Dr. Chip and Rita Christian home on West Paris Street.

* Bela was the daughter of Walt and Musa Mebane of Buena Vista. Mr. and Mrs., Mebane were large farmers and their family members still live in the Buena Vista area.

*  Verda, Doc's mother, moved to Huntingdon from Birmingham when she married Mr. Neil. Her sister, Mae Allison, was a world known actress in silent movies. Verda was active in Tennessee and National politics - she attended the Democratic national Convention on two occasions.

* Doc's father was affiliated with the Bank of Huntingdon for 60 years. His grandfather, William Moore Wright, was a nationally known medical doctor and surgeon. He served in the Civil War and was assisting General Johnson as he died at Shiloh.

* Dr, Wright was a commissioned assistant surgeon assigned to duties at hospitals in Nashville, Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. After the war, he did additional studies with the Missouri Medical College in St. Louis, receiving a degree from that college in 1869-70. He practiced medicine in Huntingdon until his death. His wife was very active in civic and community activities in Huntingdon. Their daughter, Olive, provided the name for the Olive Hotel in Huntingdon.

* Doc's great grandfather was also a medical doctor: Ebenezer Wright, and his great-great grandfather was Colonel Moses H. Wright.

* Many members of the Wright and related families served in wars and conflicts. They were too numerous to mention.

* Many were killed in action.

* Many were highly decorated officers. They served in: The Mexican War, The Civil War, The Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II.

* Doc himself attended West Point. He did not finish but served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant in World War II. Other members of the family attended West Point. After his return from military duty, he worked for the Bank of Huntingdon until his retirement in 1968.

* The land for the Clark Cemetery, which is now maintained by the Town of Huntingdon, was originally purchased by John Clark who was related to the Wright family. Colonel Clark was born in 1773 and died in Huntingdon in 1850. He was a colonel in the War of 1812 and provided the land as a burial place for family and friends.

* Another family relative, Wayne J. Holman, is also buried in Clark Cemetery. He was one of the early executives with the company we know as Johnson and Johnson. He served as director, treasurer, and member of the executive committee of the Johnson and Johnson Company before retiring in 1972.

* As you can see, this family has deep roots in our community with numerous military involvements. Thus, the Trust Committee of the Carroll Bank and Trust is pleased to have made this contribution for such a worthy cause.
 

 
As related by Donald Parish

The Mexican War (1846-48)

The war between Mexico and the United States began in 1846 with a Mexican attack on American troops along the southern border of Texas. When the war came to a close in 1848, in addition to recognizing the U.S. annexation of Texas, defeated Mexico ceded California and New Mexico (including all the present day states of the southwest) to the United States.

The war received enthusiastic support in all section of the United States and was fought almost entirely by volunteers. The army swelled from just over 6,000 to over 115,000. Of this total, approximately 1.5% were killed in fighting, and nearly 10% died of disease. Another 12% were wounded or discharged because of disease or both. For years afterward, Mexican War veterans continued to suffer from the debilitating diseases contracted during the campaigns. The casualty rate was thus easily over 25% for the 17 months of the war. The total casualties may have reached 35-40% if later injury and disease related deaths are added. In this respect, the war was the most disastrous in American military history.

68 Carroll County soldiers died in the Mexican War.

The War Between the States (1861-65)

Conflict over issues of how much control the federal government should have over the states, industrialization, trade and especially slavery had increased tension between northern and southern states. After Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, 11 southern states seceded (or withdrew) from the Union and set up an independent government - the Confederate States of America. These events led to the outbreak of the Civil War - a brutal, bloody, four-year conflict that left the south defeated but ended slavery, at the cost of more than half a million lives. The Civil War, often pitting brother against brother, was the only war fought entirely on U.S. soil.

116 Carroll County soldiers died in the Civil War.

The Spanish-American War (1898)

Spain and the United States went to war over issues involving the Spanish island colonies in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The United States Army was not prepared for war. After the Civil War, the country had drastically reduced its army. Most army units had scattered throughout the west. Volunteer and National Guard units quickly assembled in Tennessee. Regular-army divisions, filled with new recruits, rushed to Florida to await the invasion of Cuba.

In the four months of fighting, Americans lost a total of 460 soldiers in battle. Compared to the Civil War, in which tens of thousands were often killed in a single day, these casualties were thankfully low.

Carroll County lost one soldier in the Spanish-American War.

World War I (1917-1919)

World War I, also known as the "war to end all wars" grew into the greatest war the world has ever seen. The amount of money spent was enormous. The direct cost of the war was about 200 billion dollars. The United States alone spent as much money as it did on all the expenses of the government from 1791-1914. More than 65 million men were mobilized for the armies and navies. Over eight million lost their lives, and more than 21 million were wounded. Civilian populations worked as never before to produce enormous quantities of guns, munitions and other supplies. Civilians also suffered more than in any previous war. Because civilians played such an important part, this was called "total war."

The cost of the American effort in World War I will never be entirely known. Americans killed in battle, dead of wounds or declared dead numbered 53,407. Illness and other causes brought the total number of deaths to about 126,000. There were 204,002 wounded (not fatally).

41 Carroll County soldiers died during World War I.

World War II (1941 - 45)

World War II, also called the Second World War, involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939-45. The war was in many respects a continuation of the disputes left unsettled by World War I. The deaths incurred in World War II made it the bloodiest conflict, as well as the largest war, in history.

The statistics on World War II casualties are inexact. Estimates of total dead in World War II vary anywhere from 35 million to 60 million. Nearly six million Jews, more than half of them from Poland, died in Nazi concentration camps.

77 Carroll County soldiers died in World War II.

Korea (1950-53)

The Korean conflict began in June 1950 between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), which resulted in an estimated four million casualties, including civilians. The war ended inconclusively in July 1953. It established a precedent for United States intervention to contain communist expansion.

The Korean War resulted in the deaths of about 1, 300,000 South Koreans (many of whom were civilians), 1,000,000 Chinese, 500,000 North Koreans and about 37,000 Americans. Several million Koreans temporarily became refugees, and much of South Korea's industrial plant was damaged, while North Korea was utterly devastated by American bombing campaigns.

12 Carroll County soldiers died in the Korean Conflict.

The Vietnam War (1955-75)

The war in Vietnam was a protracted effort by South Vietnam and the United States to prevent the communists of North Vietnam from uniting South Vietnam with North Vietnam under their leadership.

After 1965, U.S. involvement in the war escalated rapidly The United States became more involved in the war not only to maintain the independence of South Vietnam but also to retain the United State's credibility with other allied nations who depended on our help to resist communist aggression or subversion.

The effects of the long conflict were harsh for all involved. More than 47,000 Americans were killed in action, nearly 11,000 died of other causes, and more than 303,000 were wounded in the war.

13 Carroll County soldiers died in Vietnam.

The Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

The international conflict known as the Persian Gulf War was triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Iraq's leader, Sadam Hussein, ordered the invasion and occupation of Kuwait with the apparent aim of acquiring that nation's large oil reserves.

There are no official figures for the Iraqi military occupation. Estimates of the number of Iraqi troops in the Kuwait theatre range from 180,000 to 630,000, and estimates of Iraqi military deaths range from 8,000 to 100,000. The Allies, by contrast, lost about 300 troops in the conflict.

We gratefully acknowledge that there were no Carroll County soldiers lost in the Persian Gulf War.