We attended the “Memorial Day Remembrance” sponsored by the American Legion Post #122 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7623 at the new community activity room.
Commander Edward Frazier welcomed everyone and thanked the people who came. Fallen heroes, Gold Star Mothers, U.S. Veterans and current military were recognized and honored.
To our suprise, an honorable gentleman, Major Jerry Parker, U.S. Army (Rt.) was guest speaker.
What an inspiring message he brought, giving a brief history of the military and the men who lived in DeKalb County who loved America, were willing to serve in combat and who never returned home.
He mentioned Holly Howard, who lost his life on a submarine. Holly was a handsome young man who loved life. His parents were honorably good citizens. We knew Holly at D.C.H.S. on College Street in the class of 1935. He had two brothers, Kenneth and Elby Howard, who also served in the military.
We remember another nice D.C.H.S. young man, Lee Gill, who went to World War II and never returned. He was in an airplane which hit a snow-covered mountain and was never found.  I played basketball with his sister, Sis Gill.
Jack Davis, son of the late Oscar and Ola Davis of Liberty, was killed in action.
The McGuinness boy, who married Loraine English, was killed as he was going ashore. There are others maybe who were fallen heroes. These are the ones that we knew from DeKalb County.
There was a Magness boy from Blue Springs Road who was killed in action. We believe that Lon Magness was his father.
During World War II in Normandy there were three DeKalb boys fighting almost side by side and didn’t even know the other was there.
Charles Keyt felt someone tapping his shoulder. When he looked around, there was the Smithville boy, Alan Hooper, and directly  in front of him was another boy from Smithville, J.T. Cantrell, who later married Robbie Trapp.
My brother, Charles Keyt, came home from the war, but was hit by shrapnel which caused cancer in his left lung. He died at the young age of 43.
All the Keyt boys served in the military. Lloyd Keyt was a paratrooper and was in the “Jump Over the Rhine.” W.C. Keyt, a second lieutenant, served in the U.S. Army at Albuquerque, N.M. James Wilson Keyt was a medic in Saigon when our son, Joe Ronald Frazier, served in the Vietnam War.
Our son-in-law, Wayne Fuson, served in the Korean War and went to the Gulf War. He is a disabled veteran today due to being in the Gulf War.
Wayne served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. He and Deborah Frazier Fuson reside in Cabot, Ark.
Carrell Thomas, husband of Peggy Frazier, served in Vietnam. Mr. Doug Frazier had some boys who served overseas. They lived in the Vickers Hollow.
During World War II there were several from the valley who served overseas in the U.S. Navy, including the late Tom Cripps, Carl Cripps, Alvie Mullican and Woodrow Wilson Frazier.
Carl and Jim Cripps’ son, Gary, was wounded in Vietnam and almost lost his leg. He was left a cripple and had to wear braces the rest of his life. He was awarded the highest honor, the “Silver Star” and the “Purple Heart” for bravery and for being wounded. Gary died a young man, several years ago.
Edward and Edsel Frazier lived here in the peaceful valley when they were young boys, got the call to go serve their country and fought overseas for our freedom.
Yes, DeKalb County certainly sent some fine young men to war. We who are left behind say “Thank You” to these brave soldiers in DeKalb County and for those who served from the Dry Creek Valley.
It was good to meet a Gold Star Mother, Mrs. Anderson, who lost a son in the Vietnam War.
It was nice to see Polly Allen and her husband at the meeting. Thanks for reading the “Dry Creek Flashes.”
At a distance we saw Bobbye Jean Thomas and Jan Thomas. Always glad to see them.
It was a delight to see Jerry and Brenda Parker from Murfreesboro. Jerry delivered a great message for the occasion.
Emma Rigsby did a good job playing Taps. Susan Hinton and Josh Gulley furnished entertainment on the keyboard and guitar. Josh was soloist for some patriotic songs.
Dry Creek community sends deepest sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. George Clayton in the death of their son, George. Our prayers go to the Clayton family in its hour of sorrow. May they look to God for comfort.
We were very thankful for the rain which fell last Tuesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tomilson of Smithville were recent visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Joines.
Elizabeth and Olivia Miller of Lascasses were the overnight visitors with their grandparents, Ricky and Kathy Hendrix Friday.
Henry and Natalie Frazier, Huntsville, Ala., spent the weekend here doing some work at their new country house that was recently built on what used to be Mr. Bill Davis’ farm.
It is almost completed and will serve as a country home for the Frazier family. Henry is the son of the late John and Billie Ann Frazier.
The house is beautiful and we welcome them and thank them for choosing the beautiful valley to call home.
On June 10 from 2-4 p.m. Dry Creek Baptist Church will be having an Anniversary Reception. Everyone is invited to a reception honoring Bro. and Mrs. Donald Owens on their 60th wedding anniversary. The reception will be held in the fellowship hall. No gifts please, just your presence on this special day.
On June 16 there will be VBS at Dry Creek Baptist with Bro. Donald Owens and Jo Ann Hale being the directors.
On June 17 the church will celebrate Father’s Day and will take the Adult Homes Offering.
Then June 24 they will celebrate Homecoming with guest minister, Kenneth Tramel.  There will be special singers and lunch will be served at noon. There will not be a night service this day.
Everyone is invited to attend, Bro. Donald Owens, pastor.
Correction: Helen Burt’s sons are Larry and Phillip Parsley of Smyrna, not Stanley as printed in a previous column. Glad to correct this mistake.