Veterans Day is a time for reflection and paying tribute to those who have served our nation honorably in the armed forces. Unlike Memorial Day when only those who died on the battlefield are honored, Veterans Day is for all who have served living or dead. Armed Forces Day is observed for those now serving the nation in uniform.

Veterans Day replaced Armistice Day celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marking cessations of hostilities ending World War I in 1918. As a nation, we pledge to never forget our brave men and women who defend our country. Our 30th President Calvin Coolidge said it best: “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”

Therefore, for the past several years the Selma Times-Journal has provided space for an accounting of veterans who have completed their mission for God and country on earth during the past year. It is not a complete listing, but reflects the best information made available. Names with date of death and branch of service should be sent to me one week prior to each Veterans Day for inclusion. It is our desire that all be included to accurately reflect the veteran community. To those we may have missed, our apologies.

Special kudos to Walker Mortuary, Tom Kelly of Lawrence Brown Service Funeral Home and Darren Yarbrough of Selma Funeral Home for their assistance in this effort.

November 2014

11/11/2014 – Dr. Robert H. Corr – USAF

11/27/2014 – Henry E. Gibbs Jr. – USN

December 2014

12/02/2014 – John J. Grimes – USN

12/05/2014 – Graham A. Logan Jr. – USA

12/12/2014 – Erica Peace Proctor

12/19/2014 – James S. Johnson – USAF

12/21/2014 – Glenn A. Lassiter Sr. – Navy

12/23/2014 – Neal E. Avrett – USAF

12/28/2014 – John Arnold – USN

January 2015

01/02/2015 – Henry C. Rasberry Sr. – USN

01/15/2015 – Marion R. Harris Jr. – USA

01/15/2015 – Hilliard T. Rush – USA

01/18/2015 – J. D. Willis – USAAC

01/24/2015 – Herbert C. Vickers Sr. – USA

01/26/2015 – James T. Tanton – USAF

February 2015

02/01/2015 – David G. Kinman – ANG

02/08/2015 – Watson A. Rogers – USAF

02/10/2015 – McArthur Williams

02/12/2015 – Joseph D. Ross Jr. – USA

02/13/2015 – John Thompson – USAF

02/16/2015 – Clyde Wilson – ANG

02/20/2015 – Eugene Middlebrooks – ANG

March 2015

03/05/2015 – Lamar B. Lee

03/05/2015 – Walter Simmons – USAAC & USN

03/06/2015 – John Rhodes – USAF

03/19/2015 – Charles B. Driver Sr. USA

03/26/2015 – Edward L. Chance – USAF

03/30/2015 – William E. Reece – USA

April 2015

04/03/2015 – Thomas Harris – USA

04/14/2015 – James E. Morgan

04/23/2015 – Cary Durden – USAF

04/24/2015 – William B. Davis – USA

04/29/2015 – Robert W. Kirk – USN

May 2015

05/08/2015 – James L. Akins – USAF

05/16/2015 – John L. Dale Jr.

05/16/2015 – Andrew J. Kynard – USA

05/19/2015 – John Pomeroy – USA

05/20/2015 – James T. Grose – USAF

05/20/2015 – William F. Mitchell – USAF

05/29/2015 – Benjamin Nichols – USAF

June 2015

06/01/2015 – Larry Dillard – USAF

06/04/2015 – William B. Harrell

06/05/2015 – Terry D. Stone

06/07/2015 – James E. Bedgood

06/08/2015 – Charles T. Trippe

06/29/2015 – Buford Pomeroy – USA

July 2015

07/03/2015 – Francis R. Debray – USA

07/04/2015 – Dwan Motley – USAF

07/04/2015 – Robert Austin – USAF

07/05/2015 – Ronnie Barnes – USN

07/12/2015 – Jimmy F. Gaddy

07/14/2015 – Elbert R. Spears – USAF

07/16/2015 – Arthur L. Olsen – USN

07/17/2015 – Lewie R. Crisman – USN

07/18/2015 – William R. Weeden – USA

07/22/2015 – Oscar C. Speight – USAF

07/25/2015 – William E. Stone Jr. – USAF

August 2015

None Reported

September 2015

09/04/2015 – Richard Gibian – USAF

09/05/2015 – William I. Lawson – USA

09/08/2015 – Sidney J. Hardy Jr. – USA

09/10/2015 – William H. Ryan Jr. – USN

09/12/2015 – Olen E. Davis – USA

09/14/2015 – Richard W. Kerlikoske – USAAC

09/17/2015 – Craig D. Hasberry

09/26/2015 – Claude M. Fulford – USAF

October 2015

10/06/2015 – Raymond Pomeranz – USMC

10/11/2015 – Johnny Bonner Jr.

10/13/2015 – Doris A. Lee

10/19/2015 – John W. Kelly Jr. – USA

10/21/2015 – Joseph Conner – USAF

10/27/2015 – Frank E. Phillips – USA

R.I.P. loyal patriots, you have fought the good fight and kept America safe and free. Your battle is over and the victory is in hand. It is time for others to pick up the mantle and follow the example set before them. Duty, Honor, Country was your mantra and shall it never be forgotten the sacrifices you made for the land of the free, home of the brave. God Bless America.