Smithville’s annual Memorial Day event, sponsored by American Legion Post #122, drew many locals to the DeKalb Community Complex to show their appreciation for those who have fought and died for our country.
The program began at 9 a.m. Monday, and featured U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Christopher H. Oliver as the keynote speaker. Oliver is the son of George and Rebecca Oliver of Smithville.
He graduated from St. Gregory College Preparatory School in Tucson, Arizona in 1989. He received a BA degree in Political Science from Texas A&M in 1993. He was commissioned as a Second Lt. via the Platoon Leader's Class.
Oliver has flown over 2,500 mishap free flight hours. He possesses all flight leadership designations and mission qualifications in the CH-53D/E aircraft. His personal decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral 5, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in Lieu of Fourth Award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Oliver graduated from St. Gregory College Preparatory School in Tucson, Arizona in 1989. He received a BA degree in Political Science from Texas A&M in 1993, commissioned as a Second Lt. via the Platoon Leader's Class.
He assumed command of HMG-362 in April, 2011 and during February, 2012, the Ugly Angles, the last CH53D squadron in the Marine Corps, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12.1 and conducted combat flight operations in support of RC Southwest in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
In 2013, Oliver reported for duty as a student at National War College in Washington, D.C. where he is working toward a Master's Degree in National Security Strategy.
He is married to the former Stephanie Skierkowski of Kailua, Hawaii and they have four children, 19 year old Makena, 12 year old Piper, 10 year old Houston, and 7 year old Tate.
The event also included the presentation of colors by members of Boy Scout Pack #35, and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver performed the National Anthem.
WWII veteran Edward Frazier led the Pledge of Allegiance, local minister Larry Green led a prayer, and music was provided by Susan Hinton, Darrin and Victoria Vincent, and Weaver. Hinton also read a "Tribute to Veterans," a poem by Ben Herman.
A wreath was placed at the Veterans Memorial monument on the courthouse square after the program. Emma Rigsby and Larry Briggs played “Taps.”
Judy Redmon read the names of locals who have served, but have now passed on:
Sons of Gold Star Mothers:
•Billy Anderson, Army, Afghanistan
•Shannon Taylor, Army, Iraq
•Billy Adcock, Army, Vietnam
•Ronnie Reeder, Army, Vietnam
Others are as follows:
•Alvin Burton: Navy, Korean War
•James H. Buddy Cook, Army, Germany
•Norman Cook, Navy
•Jim Roy Tramel, Army, Germany, Korea, Vietnam
•John Lee Pack, Army, World War II, 41st Infantry
•James Holcomb, Army, Korea
•Howard Timmons, Army, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, 30 years Master Sergeant
•J.C. Malone, Army, World War II
•W.J. (Wise Owl) Hendrixson, Navy, World War II
•Virgil Johnson, Army, World War II
•Lt. Clyde Thomas, Navy, Korea
•Dale Hutchings, Army, Vietnam
•Jimmy Ervin, World War II
•Dan Fite, Vietnam
•Edward Hays, World War II
•Richard Lockhart, Army, Korea
•Miles D. Shepard, World War II
•John E. Turner, Army, Vietnam
•Solon Lee Taylor, Army, World War II
•Ewin Sandlin, Army, World War II
•Everett Herron, Air Force, Korea, Vietnam
•Ralph Bradford, Korea
•Henry D. Johnson, World War II
•Charlie Redmon, World War II
•Garland Redmon, World War II
•Henry Garth Coffee
•Glenn Allen Coffee
•Virgil Hill Johnson
•Donald Mann
•Benton Adkins
•Hubert Page
•Clint Page
•Doylan Davis, World War II
•Donald Sheets, World War II
•Harry Gossard
•T.J. Young, World War II
•Carsie L. Craighead, World War II
•Kenneth DeShanno, World War II
•Jack Estes, World War II
•Vernon E. Hyde, World War II
•Sam A. Love, World War II
•Merle C. Meyers, World War II
•Robert Milantoni, Korean
•Ozro Franklin, World War II, Korean
•William Bethel Golden, Korean
•Odene Lawrence, World War II
•Jerry Wayne Vanatta, Navy, Vietnam
•John G. Magness, U.S. Army, World War II
•Carl Cathcart, Navy, Korean
•Bobby L. Snyder, Army, Korean
•Toy Hendrixson, Army, World War II
•Norval Webb, Air Force, Korean
•Jvann Walls, Army, World War II
•W.J. Tramel, Army, World War II