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COUNTY LIFE

Nocona Hospital District only entity required to have election

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As candidate filing for the May 5 election came to an end last Friday, it appears only the Nocona Hospital District will have an election with one newcomer joining its ballot of three incumbents.
The City of Nocona, North Montague County Water Supply District, Nocona Hospital district and Nocona Independent School District were all scheduled for elections in May. However, all but the hospital district had no contested races and are expected to cancel their elections.
For the hospital board all three incumbents filed, Charles May, Cris Lemon and Todd Peterson. Ron Brown is the new candidate joining the race.
For the Nocona City Council there are three places up for election and all the incumbents filed: Bob Ferguson, Tracy O’Neal and Steve Tettleton.
In the school board elections Guy Hill is running in place two; Kyle LaMar, place one and Randy Murphy, place six. They are all incumbents.
Three places on the five-member water district board are up for elections. All three incumbents Steve McCracken, Eddie Walker and Ricky Reed have filed to run again.
Last month, the North Montague County Water Supply District voted to begin the dissolution process and turn over its assets to the city effective May 1. However, the board will still need to have one more election so a board will be in place to handle the activities during that process which is expected to take more time.

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COUNTY LIFE

Veterans Day events readied

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Montague County residents can celebrate our veterans with a variety of programs.
The public is invited attend the Veterans Day program hosted by the Montague County Veteran’s Service office at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the courthouse annex at Montague.
Veterans and service members will be recognized and honored during this event. Also take time to view the Montague County Veteran’s Memorial on the courthouse square.
Jerry Cody, a Vietnam veteran from Forestburg, will be the guest speaker. Local youth also will be posting colors and be part of the activities.
The V in Nocona will host a Veterans Day fundraiser honoring all who served from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at 100 Baylor. The focus will be a block walk for a 1/2 K for a $20 entry. Participants will receive refreshments at the halfway point and there are participation prizes.
Kids are invited to dress patriotically and enjoy a bounce house, games and face painting. Soda and kid-friendly drinks will be available.
Bowie High School staff and students invite local veterans to attend and participate in his recognition ceremony at 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the high school gym.
Principal Joanne Keeler said all local veterans are invited to attend and be part of this recognition. Entry can be made at the gym doors.
The choir and band will perform during the program being coordinated by National Honor Society and BHS Student Council.
The folding of the flag and its meaning will be presented and each veteran will be introduced. After the program the veterans are invited to a breakfast prepared by the culinary classes.
Forestburg High School’s staff and students will celebrate veterans in a program at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the high school cafeteria.

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COUNTY LIFE

Sunset veteran had to fight to get his Naval record released so he could get health care

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Wayne McConnell returned home after four years of service to marry and raise a family.

By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Merle Wayne McConnell was only 19 when he joined the United States Navy as a way to pursue higher education.
His parents, William Henry McConnell and Dorothy O. Willett of Sunset, supported his decision, but they had no idea they would never really know what their son did in the Navy or where he was stationed during his four years.
He worked with “top secret” clearance in several areas, but even after he got out he was sworn to silence on his activities. It was not until much later in his life was he able to be released from that promise as he dealt with health issues believed to be connected to his exposure to radioactive fluids.
Those fluids were leaking from a nuclear device in the cargo bay of a R6D which landed between August and December of 1957. That secrecy kept him from receiving appropriate medical care that is believed to have resulted in him being diagnosed with several different cancers later in his life.
Assisted by Decatur Veteran’s Service Officer, McConnell for years was confronted with VA officials telling him the records were lost, we can’t open the records they are classified and other obstacles.
Finally McConnell received confirmation of that medical appeal for information in August 2019 and was able to receive appropriate medical care and freely speak of many of his activities.
What follows is this veteran’s first person account prepared by himself and wife Joanne from information culled from his military records and submitted to the veteran’s affairs. This record of service was submitted with his appeal for medical care in November 2017. It took almost two years for it to be accepted.

Read this veteran’s personal narrative on his service in the Navy in your weekend Bowie News.

Top photo- Sunset’s Wayne McConnell joined the U.S. Navy at the tender age of 19.

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COUNTY LIFE

Clowns on Fire go ‘Moana’ style for program (brief video)

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