Organizations gather to honor and remember

Approximately three dozen “patriots” gathered Friday, Sept. 16, at the Grimes County Justice and Business Center to honor the nation’s veterans and Constitution. Along with recognizing the relocation of Grimes County’s World War I Memorial, the ceremonies launched Constitution Week, Sept. 1723, and paid tribute to POW/ MIA Remembrance Day.

Kathy Cave Wells, Regent of the Robert Raines Chapter of the NS-DAR served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

WW I memorial

The World War I Memorial, a Robert Raines Chapter project, was initially dedicated April 6, 2019, at Historic Anderson Park and followed two years of fundraising which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the United States entry into World War I. The relocation of the monument came about after commissioners court accepted the donation of Historic Anderson, Inc., property to Grimes County April 22, 2020. In her comments to attendees, DAR State Regent Marcy Carter-Lovick said, “As I was coming in today, it struck me how appropriate it was to be rededicating this monument so close to Constitution Day and Constitution Week because these soldiers we commemorate marched off to war after pledging their loyalty and support of the Constitution.”

Grimes County Historical Commission president Mary Ann Waters said, “As time goes by we often forget what has been sacrificed for our rights and freedoms. This monument is a token of our appreciation to those many brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the rights and freedoms of our country during World War I.”

After DAR members placed a wreath on the monument, Lovick-Carter recited the poem, “In Flanders Field.”

Our Constitution, 235 years old Shifting to recognition of Constitution Week, Robert Raines Chapter Vice-President Marilyn Bettes gave the history of Constitution Week and how the Robert Raines Chapter observes it. Navasota attorney Brent Cahill read the Preamble to the Constitution and County Judge Joe Fauth then read the Constitution Week Proclamation.

9 MIA from Grimes County

American Legion McCluskey Post 640 Commander Steve Storey said, “Sept. 16 is also a day the nation sets aside to remember an entirely different group of heroes. For those who served in the military, it is a day that we are reminded of an oath that we failed to keep – to leave no shipmate behind.”

He continued, “Nearly 142,000 Americans have been held prisoners of war since World War I. More than 15,000 died in captivity. There are more than 85,000 Americans missing in action from all wars and conflicts. Of those, more than 4,000 are Texan and nine from right here in Grimes County.” He continued, “As we pause to remember their service and sacrifice, we must also remember the sacrifice of their families who continue to grieve…Today our nation reaffi rms its resolve to achieve the fullest possible accounting of those who are missing. As veterans and family members of veterans, we must do our part to remember the service and sacrifice.” Others attending included DAR State Recording Secretary Shirley Bland, Pocahontas Society-Children of the American Revolution officers Reagan Meredith and Bonnie Meredith, the Heroes of ’76, VFW Post 4006Auxiliary president Georgia Molitor, Grimes County Historical Commission members, First Baptist Church pastor Clyde Larrabee who gave the invocation and benediction, Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Johnny Mc-Nally who played the national anthem on guitar and led “God Bless America” a capella. Following the ceremonies, cake and punch were served in Commissioners Court.