COUNTY LIFE

Forestburg seaman killed at Pearl Harbor finally coming home to rest

Published

7 years ago

07/11/2018

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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.

COUNTY LIFE

Sip & Stroll to celebrate mothers

Published

3 days ago

05/01/2025

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Get an early start celebrating mom by enjoying the Mom’s Night Out Sip & Stroll With Me downtown Bowie, Texas from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 2 with a chance to win a free gift basket full of goodies at each participating location.
Weather permitting, the Stark family will provide horse-drawn carriage rides on the beautiful historic brick streets for guests.
Join us for another fun downtown “mini-open house” event starting at 5 p.m. along with the added fun of pop-up vendors.

Read about all the participating merchants for this week’s Sip & Stroll With Me in the May 1 Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

Comic Mini-Con arrives on Saturday

Published

3 days ago

05/01/2025

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Get ready, Bowie the Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con is back and bigger than ever for its second annual event on May 3 at the Bowie Public Library.
Running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this annual celebration of comics, pop culture, and creativity is a can’t-miss event for fans of all ages.
This year’s Mini-Con will feature an exciting lineup of vendors, artists and authors, along with a bounce house, video game tournament and costume contest. Attendees can enjoy free comic books while exploring a variety of geeky goods, delicious food/drinks and more.
Whether you’re a superhero fan or just looking for a fun community event for all ages or to take the family out to, there’s a little something for everyone.
Don’t forget your costume, join us for a day of fun, fandom and free comics. Follow Bowie Texas Freakz & Geekz on social media or join the discord at BTXFG.Carrd.co.

COUNTY LIFE

Stoneburg VFD readies fish fry for May 3

Published

3 days ago

05/01/2025

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Members of the Stoneburg Volunteer Fire Department will serve up its annual fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 3 at the Bowie Community Center, 413 Pelham Street.
Dinner includes fish with all the trimmings, served for donations only.
There will be a prize drawing for a Pitboss Savannah Pellet Grill and a custom built ARIS Rifle 5.56 NATO. Tickets are $10. To buy tickets call Bill Prater at 841-0263, Chad Long at 531-2711 or Chad Gerlach at 531-0726.
Donations may be sent to Stoneburg VFD, c/o Chad Gerlach, 9954 FM 1816, Bowie, TX 76230.