Laredo's veterans honored

Fall is upon us, with all of the increase in activities that it entails. Always amazed at the amount of work done by the Women's City Club members. They invite me to meetings and I am reminded why I can't join. Too much work. But how grateful we all should be to these hard-working ladies who do so much and have fun at it, to boot! A grateful Laredo says thanks.
Laredo's prisoners of war and missing in action servicemen were remembered in a memorable ceremony and reception at Jarvis Plaza and the newly-renovated Hamilton Apartments, formerly the Hamilton Hotel. What a beautiful job of restoring the grand old building! Alice Gallagher invited family and friends to join her at her Aliceña Ranch for an old-fashioned party. The evening was gorgeous, the music by Ross and Friends terrific and the food divine! It's all about people, isn't it? Watching everyone interact is always fun and what makes this place home.
Rosemary Contreras is dedicated and sincere in what she undertakes, as everyone who knows her would agree. She was given a job with the DAR, which is dear to her heart, and has run with it. Her assignments have included highlighting Constitution Week, then Flag Day, and then to help bring recognition to the Korean War Veterans of Laredo who fought so bravely to preserve the freedom that we enjoy and so often take for granted. It became even more meaninful as Rosemary visited with the veterans and their families. Their long-forgotten stories came to life once more as they shared them.
Rosemary and her committee members, Linda Jennett, Julia Ruhlman, Mary Freeman, Dr. Jane Unzeitig, and Annabelle Hall, have put together exhibits for display at the TAMIU Library and the Laredo Public Library. From there, they began to honor our veterans as the DAR chapter partnered with Department of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.
These men and women have not asked for recognition. They did what they felt was their duty. But the looks of appreciation and surprise on their faces has been so rewarding.
All of this activity caused me to study a wonderful photograph someone gave me. It is the dedication ceremony of the monument donated by the Lucy Meriwether chapter to those Laredoans who died during what the monument calls "the world war;" this before we knew there would be another one, as great, not too many years later. Efforts to identify the people in the photograph have so far proven fruitless. We believe it is in the early twenties. It was decided to pose some of the present DAR members with the monument during ceremonies at Jarvis Plaza recently. Any information on the old photo would be greatly appreciated by this quarter. We can be reached at 723-7259.
On September 20, POW/MIA Reconition Day, the Daughters of the American Revolution paid tribute to the former prisoners of war and missing in action servicemen and their families. Regent Sheila Glassford welcomed and introduced all former prisoners of war, the Honorable Elizabeth G. Flores, the Gold Star Mothers, the Gold Star Fathers, American Legion Post 59 Commander Rodolfo Aguilar, American Legion Post 69 Commander Rene García, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9194 Commander Jose James Arnold, VFW Ladies Auxiliary president Mrs. Catalina Reyna, Sons of the American Revolution president Ricardo Ramirez, and all veterans, their wives, and families and guests.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Alessandro Di Taddeo. Colors were posted by American Legion Post 59. Dick Leyendecker, former WW II POW, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. Ofelia Arizola, whose son Nathan James Mann, was killed in Vietnam, wrote and recited a poem dedicated to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
A beautiful wreath was placed at the memorial honoring WW II and Korean War servicemen.
Former prisoners of war include:
WW II - Andres Arredondo, Joe García, Octavio García, Eleuterio Juarez, Richard Leyendecker, Gilberto Martinez, José M. Saldana, and, deceased, Homero L. Martinez and Max Offerle.
Korean War - Sgt. Cresencio García, Jr. (died while in captivity, February 28, 1951.)
Vietnam - Roger L. Jones.
Missing in action include:
World War II - Chief Boatswain's Mate Jerome Samuel Spindle.
Korean War - Sgt. Hershel H. Rosell, Jr., Cpl. Alfredo T. Treviño, and Cpl. Julio Villarreal.
At the reception in the Hamilton, Mrs. Sheila Glassford pinned Korean War vets with commerative lapel pins and Dave Leyendecker eloquently read a poem, "In Remembrance," in reference to the ceremony of the small table set for one who is not present. A memorable morning for all.
The Daughters of the Republic local chapter Villa de San Agustin de Laredo held its first meeting in the lovely private room of Walker Plaza, with several important visitors present. Marie Rollin did a beautiful job of preparing for the meeting. She is so lovely and serene, reminding one of Spanish royalty. Texas president general Virginia van Cleve came from San Antonio as did Dorothy Black, representing the Alamo Couriers Chapter, Jo Nell Robertson from the Beeville Río Medio Chapter, and Shirley Burnett, District VII representative. Virginia Van Cleve gave each Laredo member a commemorative coin from her tenure.
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas began as the Daughters of the Lone Star Republic, we learned. Organized by cousins Betty Ballinger and Hally Bryan, they conceived of the idea in 1891 of perpetuating the memory of the Texas pioneer families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas by forming an association of their descendents. They meant to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas.
They meant to encourage historical research into the earliest records of Texas, especially those relating to the Revolution of 1835 and the events that followed, as well as to foster the preservation of documents and relics; to encourage the publication of records of the individual service of the soldiers and patriots of the Republic and other source material for the history of Texas.
They also promote the celebration of Texas Honor Days and strive to memorialize all historic spots by erecting markers thereon and to cherish and preserve the unity of Texas achieved and established by the fathers and mothers of the Texas Revolution.
Any woman 16 years or older is eligible for membership, provided she is a lineal descendant of a man or woman who rendered loyal service for Texas prior to the consummation of the Annexation Agreement of the Republic of Texas with the United States of America, February 19, 1846. The Alamo has been under the care of the Daughters since 1905.
Local members attending included Marie Rollin, Amparo Compton, Annie Ochoa, Annabelle Hall, Martha Haslam, Joyce Keck, Nell Manley, Joy Vazquez, Stephanie Gault, Jennie Reed, and Leticia Martinez.

(This story appeared first in Greater Laredo and is reprinted with the magazine's permission)