COUNTY LIFE
Sunset veteran had to fight to get his Naval record released so he could get health care
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
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.
Gold-Burg and Forestburg High School’s one-act plays will advance to bi-district this week after their performance at district on March 19 in Graham.
The cast and crews will travel to Graham once more on March 27 for bi-district. There are six plays set to compete beginning around noon. Play order will be: Woodson, Gold-Burg, Irving Universal, Bryson and Forestburg.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News. Top photo- Gold-Burg High one-act play crew and cast. (Courtesy photo)
Enjoy a spring Saturday during the the 22nd Annual Jim Bowie Car Show on March 29 in Pelham Park.
Hosted by the Piston Head Auto Club, the show features a full array of cars, trucks, jeeps and motorcycles. Vehicle registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. at the park. Registration is $25 day of the show. Show time is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pictured: The 2023 Bowie Car Show Best in Show James Wiesman. (Courtesy photo)
Nocona Rotary Club is hosting a 100-year anniversary celebration from 4-6 p.m. on March 27 at the H.J. Justin building in downtown Nocona.
This event is free and all are welcome. There will be light refreshments at this come-and-go afternoon, but around 5 p.m. there will be a brief program and plans to take photo of all past and present Rotarians for a keepsake group photo.
Club members are conduct a prize drawing for a trip to either Branson, MO, Las Vegas, NV or Orlando, FL. First prize is a four-night lodging at a two-bedroom condo at the winner’s choice of location.
Second prize is a weekend at a waterfront cottage on Lake Nocona. Prize for a drawing ticket i $100. Proceeds will be used to finish the Blue Mound one-mile walking trail and to continue the club’s annual scholarships to high school seniors as well as the dictionaries for elementary school students.
Current Rotary members have tickets for sale, there also is a QR code on the club Facebook page. They take cash or checks.
The band The Mind’s Eye will provide acoustical music and with two former members in the band, there may be a few Rotary songs of old. It should be a fun event, and don’t miss seeing vintage photos from 1925 to 2025.
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