Revised On May 26, 2007.
Greetings all and a Good Day to you. May your needs soon become fulfilled and your wants be of such small consequences that they will tend to just go away. When you think things are bad, please try to reflect and remember our Soldiers and especially those in Iraq and Pakistan. Say a simple prayer for them and I believe that you will fell better.
Speaking of Soldiers and the current war, our Country's System seems to be such that most every generation has been exposed to some form of a war. "War Is Hell", is an old expression that has been around almost as long as war itself. For every war or conflict, real lives are involved and real lives are used and consumed. For every Soldier, there is family back home that will have to endure the rigors and tribulations of these conflicts. Soldier's return, some intact, but others return in various stages of disability or even death. All cities, small towns and communities are eventually represented by Soldiers that go to war. Currently, our military is an "All Volunteer" system, but it has been a system where the soldiers were drafted. In any case, when a person serves his/her country, as a soldier, either voluntary or non-voluntary, they should return as a hero. This web page is just a simple form of trying to recognize a few soldiers from the Rockport area that I look upon as true heroes. I hope to follow up with other Soldiers on even more web pages, but even then, I will miss or fail to mention countless others. This, omitting of heroes, will not be intentional. You do not have to be reminded of our heroes, nor will all heroes be known by all people. The ones that I mentioned in these web pages, as well as others that I hope to mention in future stats, are just simply those that I know or remember or those that I have pictures. Feel free to send me any pictures of our soldier heroes that you think should be mentioned and I will try to include them in future web pages. Your list of heroes will be different, but they are heroes none-the-less.
The following two paragraphs about J. G. Lile were taken from "Our Heroes Forever" booklet that was composed by Shirley Fulkerson Barnes and Delona Smiley Fulkerson. "Our Heroes Forever" is a Pond Run Baptist Church production in honor of the local heroes of the Armed Forces. The actual production date of the pamphlet is unknown to me, but would guess it to be in the time frame of 2002. Thanks you two.
J. G. Lile entered the U. S. Army in March 1944. He was trained in infantry and anti-aircraft at Camp Steward, GA and received additional training at Fort Houzie, TX. From there he went to the front lines at Cologne, Germany where he remained for about 2 weeks awaiting the build up of troops to cross the Rhine River. The day before crossing the Rhine, March 4, 1945, his 19th birthday, Private Lile was severely wounded in his right leg. He made his way to a house where he spent the night awaiting help. Help arrived the next morning by way of a Red Cross medic. J. G. felt he wouldn't have made it through the night if it hadn't been for God watching over him. He was then flown to a hospital in England and from there he returned to the U. S. where he was sent first to a hospital in Louisville, KY and then to Fort Custer Hospital in MI. He was later discharged. PFC. Lile was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Good Conduct for his services to his country.
J. G. married Natalie Brown and they live in Echols. Their children, Viveca Hill, Teresa and Calvin Abbott, Vivian and Danny Asberry, and Jeremy Lile also live in Echols. J. G. and Natalie have eight gradndchildren and four great grandchildren with another one on the way.
The soldier to the right of Mr. Lile, happens to be a Sailor. George Devine, a lifelong resident of Rockport, answered his call for service and served honorably in World War II. He returned to the Rockport area, married Carrie Singleton and raised a large family. Charles and Howard (Howie) were their two sons. Their daughters were Phyllis, Alice, Faith, and Kim. George worked at a lot of jobs, but ended up working for and retiring from Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine. It was always a pleasure to see George, either on the street or in a store. In later years, I would find him, almost weekly, in a Super Market. He would either be with his wife, alone or with one of his children and shopping for groceries. He would always have a few moments to talk about something. Every breath was important to him. He had a very good memory of people, places and things and loved to tell others about Rockport.
Bottom-Left is a picture of a Soldier by the name of Alva Decker. Alva, or the way Rockport Residents pronounced his name-Alvy Decker, was a true hero and a soldier, only because his country needed him. Like others, he answered when called and returned when his service was complete. He married Mary and the marriage produced three children. Anna Kathryn was the oldest, followed by Dale, and then another daughter, La Donna. Like George Devine, Alva got a job with Peabody Coal Company and continued with them until retirement. I think that most if not all of his "Miner" career was with Ken Coal Mine. "Alvy" knew all of the Rockport "Kids" and always seem to make their day brighter.
To the right of Alva is James J. Reid or affectionally know as "Jamie". Jamie was born and trained to be a Grocer and not a soldier. I remember him, only a few years older than me, working and training under the tutorage of his Grandmother, Mrs. Kevil. After several years of experience in the grocery business, Uncle Sam called him to serve his country and he did. He laid down his apron and went to war. Upon returning, he continued where he left off and operated and later owned his own Grocery. He married a Beaver Dam girl, Lorene Gaither, and they raised two children. Their son, Jimmy was a natural and could have followed in Jamie's footsteps without missing a beat, and most people would not have seen much of a change. With Jimmy's foresight, he left the Grocery Business and followed another career. Cindy Reid, the daughter, was even more capable of continuing the "Small Town Grocery" Business, but like Jimmy, she opted for a career that gave her a little freedom from work.
I looked up to all of these men and soldiers. To me, they were all heroes. Most are gone now, and most have left a lasting impression on their community as well as heirs from their marriage. Some soldiers paid the ultimate price and were taken from this old earth at an early age. Those that did not produce any children left an eternal gift to their country and will never be forgotten.
If you have reached this point in this stat, you have an understanding of the English Language. I am sure that all of you have seen bits and blurbs about your debt to the soldier if you are able to understand English. After all, if not for the soldier, we could be speaking, only in German. Freedom is not a given right to any country. It must be preserved and must be maintained by the Armed Forces. Without the soldier, your rights can not be guaranteed.
Do appreciate your time and effort in looking and reading. Without a reader, my time and effort would be for naught. Thanks.
Write-up revised on 5/26/07. Wishing you all a great day.
See you......
jrd
Greetings all and a Good Day to you. May your needs soon become fulfilled and your wants be of such small consequences that they will tend to just go away. When you think things are bad, please try to reflect and remember our Soldiers and especially those in Iraq and Pakistan. Say a simple prayer for them and I believe that you will fell better.
Speaking of Soldiers and the current war, our Country's System seems to be such that most every generation has been exposed to some form of a war. "War Is Hell", is an old expression that has been around almost as long as war itself. For every war or conflict, real lives are involved and real lives are used and consumed. For every Soldier, there is family back home that will have to endure the rigors and tribulations of these conflicts. Soldier's return, some intact, but others return in various stages of disability or even death. All cities, small towns and communities are eventually represented by Soldiers that go to war. Currently, our military is an "All Volunteer" system, but it has been a system where the soldiers were drafted. In any case, when a person serves his/her country, as a soldier, either voluntary or non-voluntary, they should return as a hero. This web page is just a simple form of trying to recognize a few soldiers from the Rockport area that I look upon as true heroes. I hope to follow up with other Soldiers on even more web pages, but even then, I will miss or fail to mention countless others. This, omitting of heroes, will not be intentional. You do not have to be reminded of our heroes, nor will all heroes be known by all people. The ones that I mentioned in these web pages, as well as others that I hope to mention in future stats, are just simply those that I know or remember or those that I have pictures. Feel free to send me any pictures of our soldier heroes that you think should be mentioned and I will try to include them in future web pages. Your list of heroes will be different, but they are heroes none-the-less.
The following two paragraphs about J. G. Lile were taken from "Our Heroes Forever" booklet that was composed by Shirley Fulkerson Barnes and Delona Smiley Fulkerson. "Our Heroes Forever" is a Pond Run Baptist Church production in honor of the local heroes of the Armed Forces. The actual production date of the pamphlet is unknown to me, but would guess it to be in the time frame of 2002. Thanks you two.
J. G. Lile entered the U. S. Army in March 1944. He was trained in infantry and anti-aircraft at Camp Steward, GA and received additional training at Fort Houzie, TX. From there he went to the front lines at Cologne, Germany where he remained for about 2 weeks awaiting the build up of troops to cross the Rhine River. The day before crossing the Rhine, March 4, 1945, his 19th birthday, Private Lile was severely wounded in his right leg. He made his way to a house where he spent the night awaiting help. Help arrived the next morning by way of a Red Cross medic. J. G. felt he wouldn't have made it through the night if it hadn't been for God watching over him. He was then flown to a hospital in England and from there he returned to the U. S. where he was sent first to a hospital in Louisville, KY and then to Fort Custer Hospital in MI. He was later discharged. PFC. Lile was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Good Conduct for his services to his country.
J. G. married Natalie Brown and they live in Echols. Their children, Viveca Hill, Teresa and Calvin Abbott, Vivian and Danny Asberry, and Jeremy Lile also live in Echols. J. G. and Natalie have eight gradndchildren and four great grandchildren with another one on the way.
The soldier to the right of Mr. Lile, happens to be a Sailor. George Devine, a lifelong resident of Rockport, answered his call for service and served honorably in World War II. He returned to the Rockport area, married Carrie Singleton and raised a large family. Charles and Howard (Howie) were their two sons. Their daughters were Phyllis, Alice, Faith, and Kim. George worked at a lot of jobs, but ended up working for and retiring from Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine. It was always a pleasure to see George, either on the street or in a store. In later years, I would find him, almost weekly, in a Super Market. He would either be with his wife, alone or with one of his children and shopping for groceries. He would always have a few moments to talk about something. Every breath was important to him. He had a very good memory of people, places and things and loved to tell others about Rockport.
Bottom-Left is a picture of a Soldier by the name of Alva Decker. Alva, or the way Rockport Residents pronounced his name-Alvy Decker, was a true hero and a soldier, only because his country needed him. Like others, he answered when called and returned when his service was complete. He married Mary and the marriage produced three children. Anna Kathryn was the oldest, followed by Dale, and then another daughter, La Donna. Like George Devine, Alva got a job with Peabody Coal Company and continued with them until retirement. I think that most if not all of his "Miner" career was with Ken Coal Mine. "Alvy" knew all of the Rockport "Kids" and always seem to make their day brighter.
To the right of Alva is James J. Reid or affectionally know as "Jamie". Jamie was born and trained to be a Grocer and not a soldier. I remember him, only a few years older than me, working and training under the tutorage of his Grandmother, Mrs. Kevil. After several years of experience in the grocery business, Uncle Sam called him to serve his country and he did. He laid down his apron and went to war. Upon returning, he continued where he left off and operated and later owned his own Grocery. He married a Beaver Dam girl, Lorene Gaither, and they raised two children. Their son, Jimmy was a natural and could have followed in Jamie's footsteps without missing a beat, and most people would not have seen much of a change. With Jimmy's foresight, he left the Grocery Business and followed another career. Cindy Reid, the daughter, was even more capable of continuing the "Small Town Grocery" Business, but like Jimmy, she opted for a career that gave her a little freedom from work.
I looked up to all of these men and soldiers. To me, they were all heroes. Most are gone now, and most have left a lasting impression on their community as well as heirs from their marriage. Some soldiers paid the ultimate price and were taken from this old earth at an early age. Those that did not produce any children left an eternal gift to their country and will never be forgotten.
If you have reached this point in this stat, you have an understanding of the English Language. I am sure that all of you have seen bits and blurbs about your debt to the soldier if you are able to understand English. After all, if not for the soldier, we could be speaking, only in German. Freedom is not a given right to any country. It must be preserved and must be maintained by the Armed Forces. Without the soldier, your rights can not be guaranteed.
Do appreciate your time and effort in looking and reading. Without a reader, my time and effort would be for naught. Thanks.
Write-up revised on 5/26/07. Wishing you all a great day.
See you......
jrd
