Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Today is Veterans Day and we honor all veterans, living and dead, for service to their country. In recent days I have been looking through a book entitled “The Men and Women in World War II from DeSoto, Natchitoches and Sabine Parishes.” It is interesting to note just how many young men there are from Sabine Parish who served. 

One of the things we found of interest was the number of young men from a single family who served – take the family of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Davis of Many. They had six sons who served. Those sons included Preston J., Willie L., Robert J., Claude, Wilford D. and Thurman A.

There were two Sabine families who each had five persons in service. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Elliott of Converse sent their sons to war – Charlie A., C. A., Reginald G., Willard R. and G. J.

Mr. and Mrs. Prude Remedies of Many had two sons who were killed in action. Louis Remedies was killed in action in Germany in 1945 and Henry Remedies was killed in action on Iwo Jima in 1945. Three other of their children who also served were Wilma D., Willie and Levi.

There were 16 families in the parish who sent four children to war. And there were many, many Sabine Families who sent two or three. Seems to me it would be incredibly hard to have even one child gone to war, not to mention more than one. With the lack of quick communications in those days, I think about the many sleepless nights poor mothers and fathers must have had. Not only did those soldiers sacrifice, but so did their parents.

The late Joe Sanders, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Sanders of Pleasant Hill and husband of Marie Sistrunk was among those who served. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University and entered the Army in 1942. He trained at Ft. Riley, KS; Ft. Custer, MI and in Ann Arbor, MI. He served in EAME. After he got out of service, he moved to Baton Rouge where he practiced law. He later became Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. He never forgot from whence he came and visited Pleasant Hill many times during his life.

John S. Pickett Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Pickett Sr. of Many, entered the AAC in 1942. He trained in California, Texas and Arizona. He served in the European Theater. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Clusters, EAME with five Battle Stars and Presidential Unit Citation. He was discharged in 1945. He later practiced law in Many and was elected Sabine School Board Member, State Representative and District Judge.

A special Thank You to Kathy Warmack for allowing us use of her book.

On this Veterans Day, we remember with thankfulness all the men and women who have served our great country. And we especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Town of Many will hold a Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial Park at Mississippi and Church Streets. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate our area veterans at this special civic event.

Mike Tarver made a special appearance on Tedd Dumas’ “Open Line” Monday morning to announce that he is going to run for Mayor of Mayor in the March 20 primary next year. He has served eight years previously as mayor. In his remarks Monday, Tarver outlined what he would like to see accomplished as mayor, including bringing in industry, running a transparent administration, being available to the general public and other matters.

Mike’s father, the late John C. Tarver, served as Mayor of Many years ago. In addition, he had a brother-in-law, Wayne C. Dew, who served on the Natchitoches Parish School Board.

Tarver operates Good Buys Supply located on Hwy. 6 West of Many and has served as Justice of the Peace for three terms.

He said he will release his official campaign announcement before long.

The Sabine Sheriff’s Office reports that shortly before 7a.m. Tuesday morning, fire units were dispatched to a house fire on Bush St. in the Village of Florien. The home was a total loss.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and the fire is now under investigation.

We have had some readers ask us to check into the recent work on the Shuteye Rd. in Ward 4. We checked with Police Jury Secretary Bill Weatherford and asked him for information. Here is what he provided:

“November 20, 2019, Sabine Parish Police Jury entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with LEAP Gas Gathering LLC for a variance to allow for pipeline construction traffic to travel a weight limited road (Shuteye) with the understanding that they will be responsible for road damages. This was the only acceptable route to the work site other than McGarrahan Road. That was not an option due to the trucks not being able to cross the train tracks on McGarrahan.

“Prior to completion of construction, the Road Superintendent met with pipeline personnel and identified areas that were damaged due to the construction traffic. A contractor was hired by the pipeline and the damaged areas were repaired at a cost of approximately $452,000 which was paid by the pipeline.

“The scope of the work consisted of sawcutting the damaged areas, milling to a depth of 8”, replacing with limestone, compacting and overlaying with 2” asphalt and final compaction,” Weatherford shared.

Thanks to Mr. Weatherford. He is always first-class about providing information for the public.

One person noted to Observations that there were bore holes in the new work after it was completed. The person wondered why.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell continues a program of training for deputies of the Sabine Sheriff’s Department. Three deputies, center, attended the DNA Analysis Class I Seminar at the Northwest Louisiana Crime Lab in Shreveport Nov. 6. They received four hours training in Evidence Collection, Preservation, Packaging, CODIS, Scenarios and Hands-on. Sheriff Mitchell said processing a crime scene and evidence collection is crucial in solving and building criminal cases, pointing out that he is highly committed to having highly-trained deputies on his staff. He stated, “Law enforcement standards are steadily changing and it is imperative for Deputies to have the most up-to-date training possible.” Shown left to right above are Chief Detective Anthony Lowe Jr., Deputy Shelly Sepulvado, Detective Greg Schulthorpe, Detective Chris Abrahams and Chief Deputy Brad Walker.

Three deputies, shown center, from Sabine Parish participated in graduation exercises for the 48^th Basic Training Class of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy in Shreveport last Friday. Pictured left to right are Chief Deputy Brad Walker, Deputy Samuel Beason, Deputy Trevor Beason, Deputy Adam Nelson, Chief Detective Anthony Lowe Jr. and Patrol Lt. Jason Heard. Walker, Lowe and Heard were all on hand to congratulate the two Deputies Beason and Deputy Nelson on their graduation. The academy started July 20 and lasted 15 weeks. The 20 graduates received 536 hours or more of training including law, patrol activities, traffic services, report writing, investigations, firearms, first aid and criminal justice. Brennan Jones of the Florien Police Department also completed the academy. It is interesting to note a first – Deputies Samuel and Trevor Beason are brothers. And Deputy Nelson, a college graduate, missed having the highest score in the class by only 0.3 of one percent.

And the training continues. Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Walker realize how important it is to have well-trained officers and are making a concerted effort to get it done.

Deputies Steven Myers and Jimmy Campbell are taking the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) in Alabama. They are School Resource Officers. This training will certify the two of them to become Certified Instructors who can teach other officers. This is the first time Sabine officers have had such training.

Chief Deputy Walker said all deputies will be required to take a Defensive Safe Driving Course on Nov. 16. All deputies will be required to attend. The course will include defensive driving, emergency driving and safe driving, among other items.

“We will ask all our Sergeants in charge to discuss safe driving regularly with the men under their leadership,” Chief Deputy Walker said.

Five Deputies will attend another Academy that starts in January, and others will attend one in July. “It is our goal to get everyone certified and trained where they need to be,” Chief Deputy Walker commented.

We laude Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Walker for taking the leadership role in seeing that their officers are well trained. With the current environment under which law enforcement officers work, it is very important that they know how to do the very best job possible. And we also appreciate the no tolerance policy for wrongful acts at the Department. They said they would make a difference for the better and they have.

AND JOEY HARRIS of Vernon Parish writes again:  “Our state legislators are worthless because they are just screwing with the people by lifting Gov. John Bel Edwards’ order for seven freaking days. We are back to Phase 3. They did that just so they could say, “We did something.” I want my money back on that special session. They ripped us off! Sickening. They are scared of JBE. Another fact is that he has too much power of the legislature, including the line item veto. Mad as hell here in Vernon Parish. And on another note, they just made national elections irrelevant if the fraud we are seeing isn’t rectified. And Tedd Dumas is right about the election – I just had a feeling we would overcome the fraud. Apparently I underestimated the Democrats.”

How do you really feel, Joey?

It was a wonderful 80^th Birthday Party for our longtime friend Ann M. Stuckey-Davis at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Carthage, TX on Sunday.

The former Ann Monkhouse and I were college classmates at Northwestern, so we go back many years. She later married Nat Stuckey and the couple moved to Nashville to support his Country music career. He had and wrote a lot of hits. Some of his Top Tens included “Sweet Thang,” “Plastic Saddle” and “Take Time to Love Her.”

Other Stuckey songwriting credits include “Pop a Top,” “Waitin’ in Your Welfare Line,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” and others.

Ann was always a vital force in Nat’s career, and she made her own mark in the music business as an executive over the years.

Her latest venture is the release of “Two Together” a few months ago which features previously unreleased duets of Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith. We’re glad to report it’s had great success on the independent music charts.

At Ann’s birthday celebration, many of her lifelong and musical friends were in attendance, including Jeannie C. Riley of “Harper Valley PTA” fame, who now resides in Brenham, TX.

An all-star band presented a great lineup of Country music for the event. It was headed by Bud Christian and included Robbie Primm on steel, Robin Vosbury on electric guitar, Brandy Roberts on keyboards, Robert Davis on drums and Christian on bass.

We enjoyed seeing a number of friends from throughout the area at the party, including our good pal Johnny Wessler of Shreveport, Dennis and Monica Bell of Mansfield, Bill Smith (The Calvary Boys) of Carthage, whose wife Tommie Ritter-Smith is the mainspring of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and others.

Ann Stuckey-Davis is a one-of-a-kind lady and we appreciate her friendship. She is now married to Randy Davis and the couple enjoys life together not very far from here, in the Florien area.

Observations sends Ann all best wishes for many more Happy Birthdays!

The last Social Distance Social upcoming this Saturday evening, Nov. 14, is promising to be the best of all! It will be held earlier than usual due to the recent time change – 5 p.m., and will once again be headquartered on the sidewalk in front of the historic Sabine Theater in downtown Many.

The Turn-Ups and their musical guests will provide free music as always and for the first time ever, there will be a free art display and sale organized by local artist and Chamber of Commerce Director Shanna Gaspard.

Special event guests will be the Choctaw-Apache Rising Sun Youth Group, who will perform a Native American dance early in the evening, and Coach Jess Curtis and the Many Tigers football team, who will be recognized at 7 p.m. Unfortunately, the Florien High School Band, who were previously scheduled to also appear as guests can no longer do so.

Sabine Parish Angel Tree, which provides clothing and toys to local, underprivileged children at Christmas, is the designated fundraising group this time. And WHAT a fundraiser is planned!

Grand Prize Giveaway raffle tickets will be sold for a 6-foot Colossal Christmas Stocking filled with candy and toys for boys and girls, plus a boatload of additional gifts for the whole family. Total gift value is already over $1,350 for one very lucky stocking winner, and here’s what is included so far:

All values are actual retail value before tax.

Packaged in the 6-Foot Stocking:

Candy, Candy, Candy!

Toys for Girls & Boys

Christmas Stocking Gifts for the Family provided by Sabine merchants:

Attorney Verity Gentry:  Yeti Roadie cooler in new fall charcoal color – $180 Value

Rigs & Racks Fitness Package – $125 Value; includes One Month of Sessions @ 3 Days/Week & T-Shirt

Baldridge Dumas Communications:  Storytime for Grownups Book Set – $120 Value

Nichols – $100 Gift Card

Kids Night Out/Fast Food Lunch Gift Card Bundle – $100 Value; includes McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut & Sonic

Curtis Family Pharmacy – $100 [2 $50 Gift Cards]

Laurie Gentry Designs: Silver Ovals 24” Two-Piece Glass Candle Holder Set – $90 Value

Family Farm & Garden – $75 Gift Card

Russel’s Jewelry – $75 Gift Certificate

Biltmore Kitchen-Dining-Charcuterie Package – $70 Value; includes Biltmore-inspired kitchen towels and table runner with Nichols charcuterie board

Foy Motors: Oil Change & Tire Rotation – $60 Value

Sanitize & Hydrate Package – $55 Value; UV Sanitizing Portable Wand, Woodgrain Stainless Water Bottle provided by Laurie Gentry Designs

Walmart – $50 Gift Card

Good Gracious – $50 Value; Boutique Gift Basket

Hard Kor Kafe – $40 Value; includes T-Shirt & $20 Gift Certificate

HyperTough 70-Piece Lithium-Ion Project Kit – $40 Value; includes Drill, Hammer, Home Upkeep Tools provided by Walmart

Grilling Traditions 17-Piece Grilling Set – $40 Value; includes Digital Temperature Fork provided by Robert Gentry

Comfort & Joy Package – $30 Value; includes Ultra Soft Throw, Comfy Pillow, Cozy Candle

Home Sweet Home Many Louisiana Art – $25 Value

Home for the Holidays Christmas Candle Set – $15 Value; Evergreen Spruce & Warm Apple Pie

Sabine Parish-Opoly Board Game – $15 Value

More prizes are being added daily, so don’t miss this great Grand Prize Giveaway Christmas Stocking raffle to benefit Sabine Parish Angel Tree.

And don’t forget, Bayou Crawfish will be open serving delicious food and drinks, and Southern Ladeez Boutique Mall will be open as well for downtown shopping.

Core sponsors for the Social Distance Social series are Attorney Verity Gentry, Vanguard Behavioral Health Consultants, Wagley Companies LLC, John and Betsy Godfrey, Laurie Gentry Designs and Mayor and Mrs. Ken Freeman.

As always, free, washable cloth face masks and hand sanitizers will be provided by Laurie Gentry Designs and Attorney Verity Gentry will have free bottled water. Both are located directly across the street from the Sabine Theater in downtown Many.

A lot of news today. We couldn’t get it all in, so be looking for a lagniappe column on Friday. Thanks again for reading.

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