COUNTY LIFE
Final resting place: Sailor buried near his family
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
With hope that lives within a mother’s heart, Ester Walters wrote a letter to her 24-year-old son, Bethel, on Dec. 13, 1941. It was less than a week since the attack on Pearl Harbor where his ship, the USS West Virginia had been moored on Battleship Row.
“We’ve spent seven long days and nights of dread fearing we would get a telegram from Washington, D.C., but we haven’t. We began to feel better… we know you’re real busy now,” wrote his mother.
After urging him to rest when he could and asking if he needed money for supplies, she wrote Homer was sending a Christmas card and a box of stationary; Ellen had a box of candy and two letters on their way and Lois was waiting to hear news to start her letter.
“As long as we don’t get a telegram we feel more certain, but we hope we don’t get it. Don’t worry about us back home, keep your nerves steady so you can do your part better. From all of us. Mama.”
That dreaded letter arrived a few short days later on Dec. 16, 1941 stating Bethel Elbert Walters was lost in the performance of his duties and service to his country. It continued if his remains were recovered they would be interred in a local cemetery. The note was signed by Admiral C.W. Nimitz, chief of the bureau of investigation.
The sailor was finally laid to rest with his family at his hometown cemetery this past Saturday. Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
There is no reason for anyone to spend Thanksgiving alone or go without a holiday meal as organizations in Bowie and Nocona hosts free community meals.
First Methodist Church of Bowie members will host the Bowie community Thanksgiving Day dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located at 1515 Jefferson.
Church members invite you to come as you are to share a meal in fellowship hall or call for delivery or carry-out.
Delivery orders will be taken until noon on Nov. 27. Call the church office at 940-872-3384. Calling to report pick-up meals is helpful, although not necessary. There is no charge for dinner.
There will be a free hot meal on Thanksgiving Day at First Baptist Church of Nocona from 10-11:30 a.m. The church is at 511 Cooke and the meal of traditional favorites will be served in fellowship hall.
Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Members will consider an anti-fraud policy and adding it to the personnel policy. The annual liability renewal with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Pool will be reviewed.
Montague County officials will be enrolling in the TAC 2025 certified cybersecurity course required by the state for all employees who use county computers.
Other topics for Monday will include the bond for the county treasurer, review an account application with Schad & Pulte Welding Supply, Inc and consider raising the road hand clothing allowance from $500 to $1,000.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was family night for the City of Bowie Fire Department as members gathered for the annual pre-Thanksgiving awards dinner this week.
Firefighter of the Year awards, service awards and officers and firefighters were pinned with their new badges.
Fire Chief Doug Page opened the evening with a remembrance of a fallen firefighter, James Dunham who died 25 years ago on Nov. 18. This Saint Jo firefighter was responding to a car accident at Forestburg and after he arrived suffered a heart attack. Page noted his daughter is auxiliary member Renee Hart.
Chad Long, member of the department for one year and one month received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Kelly Tomlin, nine-year member, was selected by the volunteers to receive the Roy Gene Williams Award.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo- New lieutenants Michael Burrows and Chad Gerlach received the oath from Mayor Gaylynn Burris. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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