Tag: Markers and Memorials

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Bataan-Corregidor World War II Monument in Kissimmee, Florida

The fall of Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippine islands to Japanese forces were arguably the
worst defeats of United States forces during World War II.

General Douglas MacArthur. Photo courtesy Library of Congress

In VERY simplified form, General Douglas MacArthur and his troops in the Philippines were tasked with holding back the advancing Japanese Imperial Army. Their objective was to keep Japan out of the American territory of the Philippine Islands.

General MacArthur consolidated his troops on the Bataan Peninsula where a combined force of American and Filipino troops were able to hold back the onslaught of Japanese troops for three months, a crucial delay to the plans of Japanese leadership.

After escaping Corregidor during the night of March 12, 1942, General MacArthur later uttered his famous “I Shall Return” speech, a promise he made good on in 1944.

On April 9, 1942, Bataan fell. Major General Edward P. King surrendered the allied troops to Major General Kameichiro Nagano, beginning what would become a further nightmare for the already hungry and weary troops. The surrender of Bataan would lead to the surrender of Corregidor less than a month later.

A Map Showing the Route of the Bataan Death March

 

It was at this point, where Japanese soldiers ordered their prisoners into a series of marches that collectively are known as the Bataan Death March. This march was approximately 65 miles with little to no food and water.

Online sources vary as to the number of prisoners and to the number who perished. A good estimate as to the number of prisoners forced into the march is 75-80,000 combined U.S. and Philippine troops. Death estimates from the forced march and conditions at Camp O’Donnell range to as high as 20,000 soldiers.

MagazineValues.com

The Monument

Fast forward to the 1990s in the city of Kissimmee, FL. In 1991, the city approved the project and dedicated a quarter acre plot at Monument Avenue and Lakeshore Boulevard for the erection of a memorial honoring those who served in the Philippines during World War II. The men who spearheaded the project were former Kissimmee City Commissioner Richard Herring and resident Menandro de Mesa who founded the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Foundation. The Foundation set a goal of raising the roughly $125,000 needed for the creation and installation of the monument. The Osceola County Tourist Development Council contributed $10,000 toward the goal.

A Tribute to Courage
A Tribute to Courage

Sculptor Sandra Mueller Storm received the commission to create the haunting memorial. Storm is a renowned artist with multiple large commissions to her credit including “The Courage to Challenge” in Vierra, FL, “Called to Serve” in Hillsboro, KS, and “Melody of Arts” in Panama City, FL. Her work is featured in major collections throughout the country. In discussing her work she stated, “I think my major strength as a sculptor is the intensity of my involvement in what I create in bronze and the emotional impact my sculptures have on those who view them. Teaching sculpture for many years has also showed me how art can change lives, especially of children and the elderly.”

General Bruce Holloway who gave one of the speeches at the monument dedication. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force

On Saturday, May 20, 1995, a day in which Florida spring rains would not hold off, the city unveiled the life sized bronze statue to a crowd of several hundred. The program included a wreath laying, and keynote speeches from Philippine Brigadier General Tagumpay Nanadiego and retired United States General Bruce Holloway.

The statue features three figures huddled together showing the pain and desperation of the march. The scene depicts a Filipina woman offering care and water to two soldiers, one Filipino and the other American.

Dedication Plaque
Dedication Plaque for the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial at Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, FL

 

 

 

 

 

 

The text of the dedication plaque reads:

This monument is dedicated to the Americans and Filipinos who served in defense of democracy in the Philippines during World War II, especially in Bataan and Corregidor and on the infamous death march.

Photos of the monument

A View of the Full Monument
Detail of the Pain Soldiers and Civilians Felt
Anguish on the Face of a Filipina Woman Providing Water to Philippine and U.S. Soldiers
Pained Soldiers Who Were on the Bataan Death March Receiving Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In Memory: Lieutenant Jerry Doyle Blinded During Korean War

Any person who walks cemeteries for any length of time can tell you about
interesting finds. These finds do not always occur in the old sections or in
cemeteries deemed “historic.” The headstone of Jerry Doyle, a soldier blinded during the Korean War, is certainly one of
those that demanded a look into the man’s life.

Jerry Doyle Blinded Korean War Lieutenant
Jerry Doyle headstone located in Oakdale Cemetery, DeLand, FL

 

Jerry Doyle was born on September 17, 1928 to parents James V. and Nora C.
Doyle in the town of DeLand, Florida. He was the fourth of what would be ten
children. At the time, DeLand was home to around 5,000 residents.

Doyle attended local schools and graduated from DeLand High School in 1946, the
same year he registered for the draft. His 1946 draft card states he stood 5’ 8” and
weighed 135 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes, and a ruddy complexion.

Young Doyle was to attend classes at the University of Florida before receiving his
call to active duty with the rank of First Lieutenant, serving in the 40th Infantry
Division.

 

 

Major General Joseph P. Cleland led the 40th Infantry Division, often called the

Courtesy: U.S. National Guard. “The Sunshine Division in Korea.”
https://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/Image-Gallery/HistoricalPaintings/Heritage-Series/Sunshine-Division-in-Korea/.

Sunshine Division, for much of the Korean War. The troops of the 40th were deployed to Japan in the spring of 1951 for training. In January 1952, the 40th relieved the men of the 24th Infantry Division. They were to serve during the hard fighting at Heartbreak Ridge and at the “Punchbowl” as the war came to an armistice in 1953.

Doyle served faithfully during the war. He was wounded severely in January 1953, during action around the “Punchbowl” when the jeep he was riding in was struck by enemy fire. Lt. Doyle lost his right eye, received a penetrating wound of the brain and a compound fracture of the skull because of the attack. A newspaper report of the time stated that in his present condition, Doyle was satisfactory. It was uncertain how long he would need to remain hospitalized and that he would be removed from his Tokyo hospital room to a facility in the United States as soon as practicable.

Doyle received the Purple Heart in recognition of his injuries.

The seriousness of his injuries led to a prolonged period of recovery. In mid February 1953, the army transferred Doyle back to the United States and he received further treatment at the Travis Air Base Hospital in Fairfield, CA. Later that year he was still hospitalized, receiving a short-term release from the VA Hospital in Hines, IL in order to visit his parents over the holidays.

In what must have been a proud moment, On June 1, 1954, James V. Doyle was
able to initiate his son Jerry into the Veterans of Foreign War, in a meeting held at
the Knights of Pythias Hall.

Jerry Doyle obituary photo

Despite his injuries, Jerry Doyle was to live a long and productive life. His
obituary touted his work with the American Legion, his love of family, and the joy he took in listening to University of Florida football games. In his obituary, Jerry is remembered as expressing no regret over his service or resulting blindness. Military service was what he had to do at the time.

He passed away on December 23, 2016 at the age of 88. Lt. Jerry Eugene Doyle is buried in Oakdale Cemetery, in DeLand, FL.

 

 

 

Sources:

DeLand Sun News. January 20, 1953; February 15, 1953; September 13, 1953;
November 23, 1953; May 31, 1954.

Historical Marker Database. 40th Infantry Division Korean War Memorial.

Orlando Sentinel/Legacy obituary.

U.S. Census 1930 and 1940.

U.S. Korean War Casualties Listing 1950-1957.

U.S. National Guard. “The Sunshine Division in Korea.”

U.S. World War II Draft Cards 1940-1947.

To learn more about the Korean War I recommend The Korean War written by Max Hastings or The Coldest Winter written by Douglas Brinkley. Both are a solid starting point for learning about the Korean conflict.

Korean War written by Max Hastings

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Anne Hyde House on the Site of the John Rich Cabin in DeLand, FL

The city of DeLand, Florida is most commonly associated with Henry A. DeLand and John B.
Stetson. They were certainly the movers and shakers that helped bring the town to life. Captain
John Rich is often overlooked in the telling of the history of DeLand. In 1875, Rich built a cabin
in the area that is now New York Avenue, near St. Peter Catholic Church.

It was at the Rich cabin where Henry and Helen DeLand spent their first night in the area in
1876. Of that night, Helen DeLand is quoted as saying that she, “slept on the floor where I could
look out at the stars and put my hand between the logs.” (1)

An image of the Rich cabin is shown in a book published by West Volusia Historical Society. (2)

Westside Settlement Associates
339 W. New York Avenue

Looking at the property today, a visitor will see a large two and one half story building built around 1905 that is home to Westside Settlement Associates. The building is well kept and the grounds manicured. The modern address is 339 W. New York Avenue.

The Florida Master Site File for the property does not provide much information. The building is in the Colonial Revival style, a style that predominated in the early twentieth century. An early resident of the home was Annie Hyde.

The building is not individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places but is listed as a contributing structure to the West DeLand Residential District that is on the NR. (3)

 

Anne Hyde
Anne Hyde Courtesy Findagrave

Anne Elizabeth Copcutt was born January 15, 1840 in New York City to parents John and Rebecca Copcutt. The family moved to Yonkers in 1854 where John owned more than twenty-five acres. The family must have had some prominence as an obituary states that she met Washington Irving at her grandfather’s home. (4)

Anne was to marry Peter L. Hyde; a marriage that was to end in separation/divorce. The outcome is not 100% certain and records appear to be missing. What is certain is that they did not live together for many years and she is not mentioned in Peter’s obituary when he died in 1925. Peter is buried in Sanford, FL.

 

 

 

According to newspaper death notices, Anne had moved to DeLand in 1899 where she built a
home on Woodland Boulevard in 1907. This date would correspond to her living prior at the
New York Avenue property as referenced in the Florida Master Site File. Ms. Hyde passed away
at her Woodland Boulevard home March 22, 1927. Reverend Harry L. Taylor, the rector at St.
Barnabas Episcopal Church, led a local funeral service before her remains were returned for
burial at St. Johns Cemetery in Yonkers. Ms. Hyde was survived by three children; Mrs.
Gouvernor F. (Rebecca) Peek, Arthur E. Hyde, and Franklyn P. Hyde, and five grandchildren.
(5)

Please click here to find online memorials for Anne and members of her family.

As mentioned earlier, there is nothing left of the Rich cabin; an important location in DeLand
history. On site, however is a small marker designating the location of the Rich cabin and
providing a bit of background information. From the road, this small marker is probably
impossible to see. I happened to spot this on a walk during my lunch break.

John Rich Cabin marker at 339 W. New York Avenue

 

A mural, painted by artists Courtney Canova and Bob Brooks contains a depiction of the John Rich cabin. The mural is located on the northeast corner of Wisconsin and Woodland.

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1) Quoted in Michael G.Schene. Hopes, Dreams, and Promises: A History of Volusia
County, Florida. Daytona Beach: News Journal Corporation, 1976. 89.
2) Evans C. Johnson, editor. William J. Dreggors and John Stephen Hess. A Pictorial
History of West Volusia County 1870-1940. DeLand, West Volusia Historical Society,
1989. 158.
3) Florida Master Site File VO-3600.
4) Yonkers Statesman, March 23, 1927. (Courtesy Findagrave)
5) DeLand Sun News, March 23, 1927.

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Jack Kerouac House in Orlando, Florida: A Must See if You are “On the Road”

Jack Kerouac House
1418 Clouser Avenue
Orlando, FL 32804

By Kerouac_by_Palumbo.jpg: Tom Palumbo from New York, NY, USA derivative work: Sir
Richardson at en.wikipedia – This file was derived from: Kerouac by Palumbo.jpg:, CC BY-SA
2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85963062

When most people think of the Beat Generation, certain visuals often come to mind.
Unemployed young adults, sitting around a coffee house in San Francisco, smoking away, rambling on self-importantly about books most of main stream America has never read seems to often fit the description. These descriptors are really about beatniks and not a literary movement. For those a bit more acquainted with the Beat Generation, certain names will come immediately to mind; Kerouac, Burroughs, Kesey, Ginsberg, and maybe even Ferlinghetti. Literature titles such as Howl, Naked Lunch, and On the Road  are probably the most famous. Despite the passage of nearly seventy years, these books and others of the movement are still in print and widely read today.

In July of 1957, only months before the groundbreaking On the Road would receive tremendous praise in the New York Times, the then 32-year-old Kerouac rented a small apartment for him and his mother. The home did not have air conditioning and the Florida heat was almost too much for Kerouac, who took to writing at night. Today, visitors to the city of Orlando have the opportunity to see the home where Jack Kerouac and his mother lived during 1957, the year that catapulted him to fame.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac                                                                The praise was not to be long, nor universal. The beatnik movement seemed to take over. Musician David Amram believes that the beatnik movement was a manufactured one, arguing Beat writers such as Kerouac were not the goateed, beret wearing, pretentious types. Rather, he described themselves as hicks, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Author Bob Kealing, a noted Kerouac expert, has put forth that Kerouac himself claimed that those of the Beat Generation “were searching for spiritual truth and meaning beyond the confines of post-World War II life.” This search is what confounded and worried critics.

Meanwhile, in his small Orlando apartment, Kerouac continued typing away on his follow-up, to
be titled Dharma Bums. In a rapid fire twelve days of output, Kerouac finished the novel on
December 7, 1957, Pearl Harbor Day. Kealing reminds us that to Kerouac, the term “dharma”
meant truth.

Orlando Walking Ghost Tour – $54.67

Every year since its inception, the Orlando Ghost Tour has grown exponentially, with more and more people coming to enjoy their spooky stories and all-around demonic fun.

 

In April 1958, Jack and his mother packed into a station wagon owned by Robert Frank and
made off for Long Island, New York. Dharma Bums was published in October of that year.
Fame was not something Kerouac was ever comfortable with, nor does it seem that he sought it
out. Kerouac was to become too familiar with the bottom of a bottle, and on October 21, 1969, at
age 47, he died a painful death from cirrhosis of the liver. His remains were transported to
Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was buried at Edson Cemetery.

Jack Kerouac House, Orlando, FL

Listed today on the National Register of Historic Places, the future of the Orlando, Florida Kerouac House was not always assured. Once it was determined that this location was the residence of Kerouac during a critical time in the author’s life, efforts began in order to purchase and rehabilitate the house. Led by Kealing, former bookstore owners Marty and Jan Cummins, and others, they founded the not-for-profit Kerouac Project of Orlando. With the generous financial support of Jeffrey Cole and Cole National, they were able to purchase and rehabilitate the house. Today, the Project provides several writer in residence opportunities each year, allowing the visiting author to live and work in the home made famous by Jack Kerouac.

The home is not open to the public. Those wishing to see the house may drive by and briefly stop to take it in. There is not public parking available and this is a residential area so please be mindful of those who live in the area and if you are taking photos be on the watch for traffic. A state of Florida historical marker is on-site. The text reads

State of Florida Historic Marker–Jack Kerouac House Orlando, FL

Writer Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) lived and wrote in this 1920s tin-roofed house between 1957 and 1958. It was here that Kerouac received instant fame for publication of his bestselling book, On the Road, which brought him acclaim and controversy as the voice of The Beat Generation. The Beats followed a philosophy of self-reliance and self-expression. The unedited spontaneity of Kerouac’s prose shocked traditional writers, yet it brought attention to a legion of emerging poets, musicians, and artists who lived outside the conventions of post-World War II America. Photographs show Kerouac in the house’s back bedroom, with piles of pocket notebooks in which he scrawled thoughts and dreams while traveling. In April 1958, following completion of his follow-up novel, The Dharma Bums, and a play, the Beat Generation, Kerouac moved to Northport, New York. He died in 1969 at the age of 47. In 1996, author Bob Kealing discovered the house’s significance while researching an article to mark Kerouac’s 75th birthday. In 1998, The Kerouac Project established a retreat here for aspiring writers in tribute to him. In 2013, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

To learn more about Jack Kerouac and his time in Florida, readers should find a copy of Bob Kealing’s excellent book, Kerouac in Florida.

Readers wishing to learn more about the Beat Generation, I recommend Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation, and America, or perhaps Women of the Beat Generation: the Writers, Artists, and Muses at the Heart of a Generation. 

Sources:
Florida Master Site File, OR8407

Kealing, Bob. Kerouac in Florida: Where the Road Ends. Arbiter Press, 2004.

Kealing, Bob. “The Road to Kerouac: He Came to Orlando in 1957.” Orlrlando Sentinel. March 9,
1997.

National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Jack Kerouac
House. 2013.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.

 

Desolate Angel

Women of the Beat Generation

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

Allen Ginsberg, Howl
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs




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Book Review: London’s Blue Plaques 2nd Edition

Spencer, Howard, editor. The English Heritage Guide to London’s Blue Plaques, 2nd edition, revised, and
updated. Tewkesbury: September Publishing, 2019. ISBN 9781912836055, 528 pages, index, photos,
maps. $25.95 or £17.99.

 

Walk around London for even a few minutes and you cannot help but see a blue plaque attached to a building. These plaques are associated with London just as red double-decker buses, black cabs, Big Ben, and the Royal family. So just what are these and why are they there?

These plaques help commemorate not just individuals but the places that are associated with these persons. Curated by English Heritage, this program has been in existence since 1867. English Heritage is now the fourth organization to manage the program, following up on work carried out by the (Royal) Society of the Arts, the London County Council, and the Greater London Council. English Heritage took over management in 1986 and is now responsible for well over 900 plaques.

 

Plaque nominations are provided by the public (the criteria are on the English Heritage website) and go
through a vetting process. Traditionally, the person is the most important part of the selection process.
One of the most important selection criteria is the person must have “made a positive contribution to
human welfare and happiness.” (Page 8) However, some additional guidelines must be followed in order
for a plaque to be awarded.

In order to be recognized, a person must have been dead for twenty years. This allows the selection
committee to judge the impact and enduring legacy of the candidate. A second rule is that the person
may only have one plaque. This rule is more stringently enforced than in the past. Spencer notes that
William Makepeace Thackeray has three blue plaques. A building where a plaque is being proposed may
have no more than two plaques in place. This often rules out buildings such as churches, theatres, and
schools. In fact, there are currently only eighteen structures with more than one plaque.

The London Blue Plaque program helps bring together a person, a place, and a story. As such, you
cannot just nominate a person, there needs to be a structure standing that the commemorated person
would recognize. This means the building must be period appropriate. As Spencer interprets this, “the
thought being that once the original bricks and mortar have gone, so has the meaningful connection
between person and place.” (Page 9) If an imaginary plaque was placed at 1050 Blackstoneberry for Stan
Ridgeway, and the imaginary building was to burn down, a replacement plaque would not be issued to any new
structure built there. The newly constructed building and Ridgeway would have no association.

For the keen observer, you will note that not all plaques are the same. Some are not round and several
are not even blue. The key as to whether a plaque is part of this initiative is to pay attention to the
sponsoring organization. Other plaque sponsoring groups you might see throughout England include the
Westminster City Council Green Plaque, Nubian Jak Community Trust, Ealing Civic Society, and others.

Book editor Howard Spencer is correct to point out the value of this program in addition to name and
place remembrance. This program helps reflect the shifting perceptions of what is historically significant
and what society values and thinks is worthy of memory. History is an evolving field of study and this program is a prime example of this evolution. He points out that currently only fourteen  percent of plaques recognize women and less than five percent honor minorities. While continued efforts are needed on these fronts, Spencer states that these imbalances are being addressed and a wider diversity of people are being publicly commemorated.

Freddie Mercury Blue Plaque located at 22 Gladstone Avenue Feltham, London Burough of Hounslow Photo courtesy English Heritage

A book such as this has value but maybe not so much as a travel or tour guide. For most people, there are more user-friendly ways to learn about these plaques. English Heritage has an excellent search feature on their website allowing you to search by name, keyword, category, or borough. An example; for those interested in rock music, you can find plaques for Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix, and John Lennon; certainly three of the biggest names in the field.

As a travel tool, I would recommend downloading the official app from your preferred app store. The app will allow you to find all plaques that are near you, search all blue plaques, or take guided tours. When I open the app today, there are two tours listed, Literary Kensington and Soho, Creatives, and Visionaries. Both take you to twelve stops and range from 45 minutes to an hour and a half estimated.

 

All those positives of other options aside, I still have a place on my shelves for this book. One being, I don’t live in London and don’t have the ability to regularly visit. This book gives me a “fix” so to speak. The reality is, most of us will know very few of the names on these plaques. The plaques themselves provide very little information, think “George Washington Slept Here.” Spencer provides a bit more background on each individual allowing readers to determine if they wish to learn more. Most receive about half a page of text. Unfortunately, the majority do not have a photo of their plaque included. This is no doubt a cost issue as including 900+ photos would become prohibitively expensive and the book would balloon from an already large 528 pages to nearly double the size.

For casual readers such as myself, the book is divided geographically into 36 chapters. Each chapter
contains a small-undetailed map. Numbers on the map correspond to listings in the chapter helping you
somewhat orient yourself but street names are not included. Tube stops and names are shown.

The book appears to be solidly constructed and the paper is good quality. Should you wish to throw this
in your backpack while walking the city it doesn’t take too much room but it does weigh a couple of
pounds.

At around $20-$25 US, I have no problem recommending this title. It is a great addition to any armchair
traveler’s library.

If you are in the Covent Garden area of London be sure to find the Young Dancer sculpture. Learn about this great piece of public art in my blog post. 

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receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views
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Osteen, Florida World War I Monument

Osteen, Florida World War I monument
Panel at I. Walter Hawkins Park in Osteen, Florida
Interpretive panel located at I. Walter Hawkins Veterans Memorial Park in Osteen, Florida

Located off busy State Road 415, north of the pedestrian bridge which is a part of the East Central Regional Rail Trail, is a marble monument dedicated to Osteen residents who served, and in some case died, during World War I.

Information contained in the Florida Master Site file states that the original date and location of this monument is not clearly known. Tax assessor records indicate the monument was erected in 1936. This date however seems highly unlikely for multiple reasons. The first being, why would local residents wait so long to commemorate local soldiers who fell in service of their country. While a delay of nearly twenty years is possible, raising funds was certainly not an easy task, it seems that the local residents would have wished to dedicate this monument sooner.

The Master Site File indicates that the original location may have been near the intersection of
Thompson and Carpenter Avenues. If so, the 1936 date above may indicate that the monument
was moved to allow for road construction. The site file record is not clear on the 1936 location or
if the monument was again moved, but by 1969 the monument was located near the newly
constructed post office. Today, the monument is located in I Walter Hawkins Veterans Memorial
Park.

In April 1957, Hawkins, a local attorney and World War I veteran himself, appeared before the
Board of County Commissioners requesting they donate property “as a site for a War Memorial.”
Commissioners duly approved the resolution in part reading,

That that portion of the County barn property in County Commissioner’s District No. 5 of
Volusia County, Florida, located in Section 7, Township 19, Range 32 East, Volusia
County, Florida, lying south of the Florida East Coast Railway Right of way and east of
the Sanford-New Smyrna Road as relocated and west of the original Sanford-New
Smyrna Road be and the same is hereby dedicated as a Memorial Park in honor of the
United States Veterans of all wars.

On May 28, 2016, the Volusia County Council proclaimed it I. Walter Hawkins Veterans
Memorial Park Day. Based upon this proclamation, it is believed that the land donated in 1957 is
the same as that which was renamed in Hawkins honor.

Today, the park sits near the much busier State Road 415, in the rapidly growing area near
Deltona. The park contains an interpretive panel in addition to the monument. The monument
itself is made of marble and is approximately seven feet tall. The monument has a triangular top,
inscribed with “World War I, 1914-1918 on one side and a United States flag on the other. This
sits upon two columns and a three-stepped base. According to an interview conducted with local
resident Albert Pell on October 7, 2014, by Tom Baskett, Jr., County of Volusia Public
Historian, a marble sphere that was located on the top of the triangle is now missing from the
monument.

Osteen, Florida World War I monument
Osteeen,, FL monument honoring two locals who perished while in service during World War I.

On the second step is the phrase, “Erected by the citizens of Osteen in memory of her heroes of the World War.” Above this are the names of Charley (listed in some records as Charlie) C. Leonardy and W. McKinley Pell, two residents who both perished while in the service of the United States. Both Leonardy and Pell were from prominent local families.

Charley Leonardy enlisted in DeLand in October 1917 and served overseas for less than two months before losing his life. He is buried in Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in France. William McKinley Pell enlisted in DeLand in August 1918 and died of complications from pneumonia in October while serving at Camp Jackson, South Carolina.

On the reverse side of the monument are the names of other Osteen residents who served in
wartime. These individuals include (alphabetically) William C. (this should be O. as his middle
name was Ora) Carpenter, James A. (his middle initial may be C.) Hardy, Louis W. Hardy,
Philip (possibly Phillip) A. Leonardy, Harry A. Osteen, C. LeRoy Pell (his headstone and
enlistment record show his name as Calvin R. Pell, his father’s name was Calvin LeRoy Pell),
and Robert H. Williams.

Osteen, Florida World War I monument
Osteen, Florida monument honoring multiple local residents who served during World War I. Absent are the names of African Americn soldiers who served.

Mr. Baskett has pointed out a troubling aspect of this monument. He has questioned the selection process, as to whose names were included. He correctly points out that not all local residents who served are recorded. However, as he points out, some of these could be transplants who had no familial ties to the city when they registered. However, Mr. Baskett points out two names that should be included. Unfortunately, both of these men were African American, an “oversight” that cannot be imagined or accepted today.

Hershell McClenan enlisted in February 1918 and died later that year while still in the service
from pneumonia and influenza. James Radford enlisted in August 1918 and received an
honorable discharge in December. Born in Osteen but living in DeLand at the time of his
enlistment was African American soldier Morris Smith, Jr. Smith served from September 1918
through his discharge in July 1919.

The park and monument are open during daylight hours. There is no parking directly at the park but there are spaces close by.

Sources:

Baskett, Jr., Tom. “Osteen’s World War I Monument”. Typescript in possession of author.

Commissioners of Volusia County. Resolution passed April 18, 1957. Record Book 33, page
330.

County of Volusia. I. Walter Hawkins Veterans Memorial Park Day proclamation. May 28,
2016.

Findagrave

Florida Master Site File. World War I Monument. Site 8VO4929.

Florida Memory. World War I Service Cards.

If you are interested in veterans memorials in Volusia County, be sure to take a look at my post about the veterans park in Edgewater, FL. This small park is located on the Indian River and is a nice reflective area that you might not find if you aren’t looking for it.

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In Memory: Staff Sgt. William Lee Owen Brown KIA Vietnam

William Lee Owen Brown KIA during the Vietnam War. His remains are buried in Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand, FL.
William Lee Owen Brown headstone, Oakdale Cemetery, DeLand, FL

Staff Sergeant William Lee Owen Brown was killed in action (KIA) on February 10, 1968. Enemy fire struck the C-130 Brown was a passenger on as they approached the Khe Sanh airfield during the Vietnam War. The damaged plane was able to land but did not stop safely, running off the end of the runway, exploding in flames. Five of the ten passengers escaped the burning wreckage and received treatment at the US Army hospital.

Brown was born January 20, 1934 in DeLand, FL where he attended public schools. Brown  joined the Marine Corps in June 1953. He attended military photography schools at Fort Monmouth, NJ and Tokyo, Japan. His many USMC roles included that of recruiter, a drill instructor at Parris Island, NC, and at the time of his death, he served as a non-commissioned officer in charge of the First Marine Air Wing Photo Lab.

During his career Sergeant Brown was awarded multiple decorations. Brown received the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Ribbon, was a six-time recipient of Expert Rifleman awards, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat (V), Air Medal and Combat Aircrew Insignia with three stars.

 

 

William Lee Owen Brown KIA during the Vietnam War. His remains are buried in Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand, FL.
Military headstone for William Lee Owen Brown, KIA during the Vietnam War.

At the time of Brown’s death, his wife Pauline (Kerr), son Hugh William, and daughter Karen Denise, lived in Albany, New York. His mother Emma Lee Brown lived in DeLand. Robert Owen Brown, William’s father, predeceased him.

Sergeant William Lee Owen Brown, who was KIA during the Vietnam War, is buried in Oakdale Cemetery, in DeLand, FL. On online memorial for Sergeant Brown can be found HERE.

 

Sources:

DeLand Sun News

For readers interested in military burials located in Oakdale Cemetery, I invite you to read my blog post about Sergeant Adam Quinn, who perished while serving in Afghanistan.

 

Last Stand at Khe Sanh written by Gregg JonesIn a remote mountain stronghold in 1968, six thousand US Marines awoke one January morning to find themselves surrounded by 20,000 enemy troops. Their only road to the coast was cut, and bad weather and enemy fire threatened their fragile air lifeline. The siege of Khe Sanh-the Vietnam War’s epic confrontation-was under way.

To learn more about Khe Sanh, I recommend readers to Gregg Jones, highly regarded work, Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines’ Finest Hour in Vietnam. With positive reviews from Leatherneck Magazine, Vietnam Magazine, Michigan War Studies Review, and more, this book will take you into the heat of battle and put you on the frontlines with the men who fought there. 

 

 

 

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Moses Harshaw Died and Gone to Hell

Moses Harshaw
1794-1858
Died and Gone to Hell

Moses Harshaw Died and Gone to Hell
Moses Harshaw–The Meanest Man Alive
Died and Gone to Hell

The stories and legends surrounding Moses Harshaw are plentiful. One thing we know is that if you visit Old Clarkesville Cemetery in Clarkesville, Georgia, you can see a headstone the likes of which you have probably not seen before. It is both funny and sad at the same time. Funny in that somebody appears to have had the last laugh on Harshaw. Sad in the fact that this person was so evil that family chose to remember him in this way. Moses Harshaw–Died and Gone to Hell.

Moses Harshaw was born in 1794 in North Carolina. He wed Nancy England on June 9, 1814 in Burke County, North Carolina. By 1820, it appears that the Harshaw family was gaining wealth, as they owned seven male slaves, all under the age of 44.

At some point in the early to mid-1820s, Moses led the Harshaw family from their home in North Carolina to new lands in the Nacoochee Valley of Georgia. In 1825, Moses purchased 250 acres from W. B. Wofford for the sum of $1,500. It was on this property that around 1837 Moses would build what is now known as the Harshaw-Stovall House, a property that in 1984 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Harshaw was successful in a financial manner. In addition to his farming and gold mining
operation, he supported his family by working as an attorney in Clarkesville. By 1840, the US
Census shows him owning 18 slaves, 11 females and 7 males. The 1850 US Census lists
Harshaw as owning real estate with a value of $20,000. The Slave Census for the same year
show him having increased his human ownership to 20.

Despite his apparent business acumen, Moses was person few people liked. His antics had earned
him the moniker, “the meanest man alive.” The period of 1829-1844 saw him charged with
assault on seven occasions, being found guilty six times. His cruelty to slaves became legendary.
When he would hitch his wagon to go to town, he would require the services of a slave on the
trip. He would not allow the slave to ride in the wagon however but would instead tie him to the
back of the wagon and make him run to keep up.

Perhaps cementing his legacy as vile person is the story of when a young slave girl passed away,
Moses wife Nancy purchased a dress for the child to be buried in. When Moses discovered the
expense he demanded the child be dug up, the dress be removed and returned to the store.

Unable to live with Moses and his erratic behavior, Nancy filed for legal separation, which the
courts granted in 1857 (some date this separation as being in 1850). She received several slaves,
farm equipment, and lands in Clarkesville. A portion of the separation agreement reads

from an incompatibility of taste and uncongeniality of temper and disagreement of
pursuits, bickering, heartburnings and strife have discovered that it is impossible they
should longer live together in peace and harmony and have therefore agreed to separate
from bed and board and absolve, release and forever discharge each other from all
conjugal rights, privileges, duties and liabilities, further agreeing to live separate and
apart and abstain in all and every way from interfering with or molesting each other in all
and every way their pursuit of present and eternal happiness.

North Georgia Wine Country Tour. Leaving from Atlanta visit 3 different wineries, including a stop in delightful Helen, GA.
North Georgia Wine Country Tour. Leaving from Atlanta visit 3 different wineries, including a stop in delightful Helen, GA. CLICK HERE or the image for details.

 

Moses was to live only a short while longer, passing away in 1859. Despite being a successful
attorney, Moses passed without a will. The courts appointed Moses son Alonzo and E.P.
Williams as estate administrators. His holdings included 11 slaves, farming equipment, produce,
livestock and feed, household furnishings, a lot and house in the town of Clarkesville, and
considerable acreage and a home in Clarkesville and White Counties.

It is possible that Nancy had the last word on their marriage and the life of Moses Harshaw. The
long rotted original wooden marker was carved with the words “Died and Gone to Hell.” A
replica of the marker stands today, reminding us that our worldly actions may not be forgiven
even in death.

Harshay-Stovall House
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Today, visitors to Sautee Nacoochee, GA can stay in the beautifully restored Stovall House. Owners Jeff Sidwell and Erin Fight opened the bed & breakfast in 2019. They offer six rooms (the Terra Cotta Room is pet friendly room) including king-sized beds, private bathrooms, Wi-Fi throughout the house, and more. Water comes from the 350 foot deep well on property. Environmental concerns are taken seriously with kitchen leftovers being composted; leftover soaps, etc. are recycled through Clean the World, the 27-acre property is pesticide free, and cleaning products are eco-friendly. If you are looking for a wedding or event venue, Jeff and Erin are eager to accommodate your needs.

 

References:
Old Clarkesville Cemetery website

United States Census Reports
1820
1840
1850
1850 Slave Schedule

United States Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
Harshaw-Stovall House. June 28, 1984.

 

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Rafting on the Chattooga River near Clayton, Georgia
Here is the perfect opportunity to go rafting in the north Georgia Mountains. Click THIS LINK, or the photo, to book your river rafting excursion on the Chattooga River, near Clayton, Georgia.
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Monument Dedications in Veterans Park in Edgewater, Florida

Detail of the 1961 Memorial Plaque

Veterans Park in Edgewater, Florida is a small park located just off Riverside Drive with the
beautiful Indian River on the eastern edge. The small park contains two monuments with plaques
along with retired military equipment that is in stark contrast to the peaceful neighborhood the
park belongs to.

1961 Edgewater Florida Veterans Park Memorial
The full view of the 1961 Edgewater, FL Veterans Park Memorial
Detail of the 1961 Memorial Plaque
Detail of the 1961 Veterans Park Plaque.

Nomatic

1961

The older monument dates to 1961 and was originally placed on the grounds of the Community Center. The large brick monument contains a smaller bronze plaque reading “Dedicated to those who served in the armed forces in the wars of our nation and in perpetual memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in freedom’s cause.”

The dedication ceremony, held by Edgewater American Legion Post 285, was described in a local paper as “impressive” and featured many local dignitaries. The program began with the advance of the color guard and the singing of the National Anthem by Virginia Henderson. Mrs. Edward Price accompanied Ms. Henderson. Cliff Mosher, past commander of the local Legion post served as master of ceremonies.

Post Chaplain James Costigan provided the invocation with Reverend M.D. Jackson from Edgewater Baptist Church leading a prayer in recognition of deceased veterans.

Other speakers that day included Judge Robert Wingfield, from DeLand, who gave the principal address; William M. Edwards, commander of the Fifth Legion District provided the dedication address. Commander William Cairnie presented the monument to the City of Edgewater with Mayor Aquilla Hussey and other city officials accepting the gift.

The most moving part of the dedication was no doubt the laying of a wreath honoring those who
have passed in service to the United States by Gold Star Mothers. One of the participants was
Ms. Myrtle I. Cole, whose son James Lee Cole was killed in World War II. Mr. Cole is buried at
the Netherlands American Cemetery. Other Gold Star Mothers attending the ceremony were
Mrs. Thomas Callanan and Mrs. Otto Hovarter.

The Reverend Richard Alexander, of Union Church closed the ceremony with the benediction.

American Legion Officers Participating in the 1961 Memorial Dedication
Shown are officers of the American Legion Post 285 who participated in the Veterans Memorial Dedication in 1961. Photo: New Smyrna Beach News Thursday, November 16, 1961

1988

Captain John F. Bolt, USMC
Then Captain John F. Bolt, United States Marine Corps. Photo Courtesy National Archives https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74243136

In 1988, a second monument was added to the park. The tone of the dedication event was decidedly more aggressive with retired Lt. Col. John Bolt as the featured speaker. Bolt was a member of the famous Black Sheep squadron in World War II and was a jet fighter ace during the Korean War. Bolt was the only Marine Corps pilot to record five kills in both propeller driven and jet aircraft. He was also one of only seven aces in the two wars. To be an ace a pilot had to shoot down at least five enemy aircraft in midair combat.

To learn more about the Black Sheep Squadron I recommend the book Once They Were Eagles. You might also consider the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep.

Bolt provided a speech heavy in pro-American rhetoric that many might find appropriate on Veterans Day. He expressed the view that America needed to be strong in order to keep the peace, “Unless you are capable of defending your territory, defending your ideals, someone is simply going to push you off it.” He believed that this strength is what brought the Soviets into discussions resulting in the SALT II treaty of 1979. “The desire for peace is not enough. Peace comes through strength. The veterans we honor here today had strength.”

Gold Star Mothers member Mary Biatek gave another speech. Ms. Biatek spoke on the danger of drugs to our country stating, “This country can be defeated, not on the battlefields, but by decay within.”

1988 Monument located in Veterans Park in Edgewater, Florida
The full view of the 1988 monument dedicated in Veterans Park

Rick Weeks, who at the time served as Commander of the Indian River Post 145 of the Disabled American Veterans gave a talk more focused on veterans. He compared the most current veterans to those who served under George Washington. The one thing that remained constant was the pride of veterans.

The ceremony included wreath presentations by many organizations including Daughters of the American Revolution, Gold Star Mothers, the American Legion, Vietnam veterans, and several Disabled American Veterans posts.

 

 

Detail of the 1988 Memorial in Veterans Park, Edgewater, Florida
Close up detail of the plaque attached to the monument dedicated in 1988 in Veterans Park, Edgewater, FL

To visit Veterans Park:
1811 S. Riverside Drive
Edgewater, FL
Facilities include a fishing pier, restrooms, picnic tables, 20 parking spaces

I would like to express my thanks to Linda Hulvershorn, archivist at the Sheldon Research
Library located at the New Smyrna Museum of History, for her assistance in finding local reports
of these events.

Sources:
Daytona Beach News Journal
New Smyrna Beach Observer
The Pelican

If you are interested in war memorials in Volusia County, Florida, I invite you to take a look at my post discussing the World War I memorial in Osteen.  This monument located just off busy Highway 415 recognizes the service and sacrifice of some of the men from the area who served during the War to End All Wars.

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