Patriotism dominated the Attala Historical Society program at the annual Salute to the Military with a focus on Korean War veterans on Thursday evening at the Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center.
Narrator Robert Autry recognized Korean veterans of the area who were seated in a reserved area. They were James Abel, Laymon Alexander, Ernest Austin, Joseph Bermond, Mac Blaine, Henry W. Cain, Joe Caperton, John Chaney, Gene Coleman, James Collins, Louis Duncan, Jack Ellington, Murphy Harmon, Walter Hines, Everett Hutchison, Gene Irving, Bernard Landrum, Dewey Lawrence, Bob McCrory, Bill Mitchell, Edward Nance, Floyd Parker, Mattie Patterson, Billy Pettit, Amelcar Picard, Bill Pickle, George L. Pitts, Bill Roberts, Pleas Rosamond, Billy Joe Rowell, W.C. Shoemaker, Alton Taylor, Billy Ward, Douglas Ward, Richard Winsett, Peggy Wasson, Donald Williams and Dan Wright.
A moment of silence was observed for the Attalans who lost their lives in the war. They were R.B. Chaplin, Will Jones, James W. Martin, Wynard C. McMahan, Harrison J. Morgan, Ivory V. Smith, Guyton Stingley and A.J. Tanner.
Autry gave a brief history of the war which is often referred to as America’s “forgotten war.” In June 1950, the war began when the North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. The Soviet equipped North Korean Army overcame the minimal resistance offered by the poorly equipped South Korean forces and within three days had seized control of Seoul, the South Korean capital city.
The conflict continued for three years with control of the capital city changing hands four times. An armistice to end the conflict came in July 1953.
A salute to the armed forces was given by SFC Gene Dismuke, Army; Lt. Paul Gundy, Navy; Radarman 2nd Class William “Bill” Walker, Coast Guard; Brig. Gen. (MS) Frank Shaw, Brig, Gen (MS) Donny Sims, Air Force; Capt. Jack Holmes, Sgt. James Malone, Marines.
The patriotic program was coordinated by Anne Hughes Porter.
Following the military salute, Lawrence Routt began the pops segment of the program as he sang and accompanied himself on the piano with a portion of the overture from the Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
JES, so named for its performers Jennifer, Emily and Sharon, accompanied by Bobby Lowe and Wilson Karges, began with “Grand Ole Flag” and “This is My Country.” They continued with traditional and “oldies” tunes.
LuVel provided refreshments which were served on the grounds of the cultural center following the program.
