COUNTY LIFE
Forestburg seaman killed at Pearl Harbor finally coming home to rest
James C. Solomon, Navy Seaman 1st class
By BARBARA GREEN
Seventy-seven years after his death aboard the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor, Navy Seaman 1st Class James C. Solomon, Montague County’s first casualty from World War II will finally be laid to rest in his hometown of Forestburg.
A funeral service for the seaman, including full military honors, will take place at 11 a.m. July 14 in Perryman Cemetery at Forestburg.
Solomon was originally interred in Hawaii where service members who could not be identified were buried as “unknowns.” He was officially accounted for on Sept. 26, 2017 following extensive testing based on DNA evidence.
On Dec. 7, 1941 Solomon was serving on the battleship USS Oklahoma, moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The American fleet along Battleship Row was decimated in the surprise attack.
The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo attacks as the Japanese used dive bombers, fighter bombers and torpedo planes to sink nine ships including five battleships and severely damage 21 ships. There were 2,402 U.S. deaths from that attack and 429 were from the USS Oklahoma battleship.
While the crew attempted to fight back, during the first 10 minutes of the battle, eight torpedoes hit the ship and she began to capsize. A ninth torpedo would hit her as she sunk in the mud.
Meet this Forestburg High School graduate who left home to work with the Civilian Conservation Corps and later went into the Navy to serve his country one year before Pearl Harbor in your mid-week News.
Enjoy a free comic book day mini-convention 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 4 at the Bowie Public Library in conjunction with Freakz & Geeks of Bowie.
There will be arts and crafts, comics, a costume contest, special guests, BTXFG exclusive swag give-aways, a video game high-score tournament, vendors and more.
Whether you’re a cosplayer ready to break out your costume, a gaming fanatic looking to throw down, or simply looking for a day of family-friendly fun and entertainment, there’s something for everyone at the Mini Con.
Don’t miss out – come join the festivities and support your local Freaky Geeky community.
Gold-Burg High School’s one-act play, “Interview,” advanced out of area competition Friday earning a place on the stage for regionals along with Slidell and Avery. Saint Jo received the alternate play.
The Bears will travel to Plano on April 26 for regional 1A University Interscholastic League competition, the last stop before state. Director Linda Fitzner said she will provide additional details on times and locations as soon as they are released to her.
Corbin Gilbert received All-Star cast, Arin Turner and Levi Hellinger, received honorable mention All-Star cast and Lexie Eat received the outstanding sound award. Fitzner said she is so “Proud of our Bears.”
Read the full story that includes results for Saint Jo and Bowie in the mid-week Bowie News.
Pictured above: Gold-Burg High School’s cast and crew of its one-act play at area. (Courtesy photo)
Officials with the Nocona Chamber of Commerce, Nocona VFW and LG Lemons Art Gallery are happy to announce the first ever poetry, prose, and tall tales event called “Rhymin’ at the Justin.”
The presentations are scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 26 at the H.J. Justin Community Room at 100 Clay in downtown Nocona. Area writers such as David Smith from Waxahachie and others from as far away as Cache and Duncan, OK, Decatur, and Wichita Falls who have a passion for “wordsmithing” will read or recite some of their original material.
The event is free to the public. Table seating will be available for all and you may bring your own dinner and drinks, if you wish. No glass bottles, please. Call or text Larry G Lemons at 940-366-5782, if you need more information.
This new event joins the popular musical jam welcoming area musicians the last Saturday of each month.
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