Cedar Vale Heroes

by Don Schaffer via e-mail.

After reading and seeing the pictures about the World War II Memorial last December, I remembered the name of Ivan Bolton and that reminded me of another time, when I sat in the barbers' chair at Jimpy and Twid's barber shop!  While my hair was being cut, I looked straight ahead at the pictures of the men who were serving or had served, in the war.  The pictures were black and white, some fading into a kind of sepia.  The names of the "heroes" were on each picture.  Some had died in action.  If memory serves me correctly,  Faye Steward and Carl Sheldon were among those who had fallen in action.  Both served in a tank battalion, I believe.  It was difficult to imagine how they must have died.   

 

I sat there trying to visualize the experiences of all those "heroes on the wall."  I could see them sitting in the same chair I was sitting in, when there was peace throughout the land.  Yet, when that peace was challenged, these men gave up their "peace" so that we might have ours.  As a youth, too young to fully understand, I felt a companionship to those in the pictures.  Some came home.  They didn't talk much of the war.  Went about their business of being part of a peaceful community.  I considered myself protected by these brave men.

 

Finally, I remember the families, whose sons were serving in the war, hanging flags in their windows.  I seem to remember that the blue star was for those still serving.  The gold star was for those who had sacrificed their lives for us.  Such an impact!  "Lest we forget," may we remember all of those who remained standing, and those who fell, giving their all....so that we could have "all" we have. 

 

God Bless America, God Bless Cedar Vale and God Bless All of You!

 

Don Shaffer

Wreaths Across America -- Vereran's Memorial Park Ceremonies

  A huge thank you is due to the Cedar Vale Go Getters 4-H Club and to their Sponsors/ parents for the program they presented to the community at the Vereran's Memorial Park this last Saturday AM.  For starters they cleaned, groomed and decorated the grounds.  The decor is still in place in case some of you missed it..    (Click on pictures for larger view.)

    A national wreath Co. donated wreaths to adorn and honor members of the armed services-living and dead- who have served their country.  The wreaths were delivered by firetruck and accompanied by local law officers.  Barry Speers and Dwayne Rogers in dress blues were the color bearers and did a precision march to the plaza with the flags.  4-H members then retrieved the wreaths from the firetruck and took them to the Veteran to whom they had been assigned.  Veterans were; Army--Bill Campbell, Navy--Ed White (in full uniform), Air Force--Don Cox, Marines--Leon Melton, Coast Guard--Gerald Luis, Merchant Marine--Cecil Shore, and POW--Bill Vaughan.
    Mark Davis offered prayer, and the National Anthem was sung by Macy Warburton.    Aaron Magnus acted as Master of Ceremonies offered words of respect for the Vets and announced each Veteran present by name    Several 4-H members gave readings or poems about service to country. 
    Next was the laying of the wreaths.  The Veteran representing each branch of the service (see above) and the 4-H er assigned to him then carried the wreaths to the rotunda, placed the wreath, stepped back and saluted.  Appropriate music was played for each branch of service.  Bill Vaughan who was a prisoner of war in WWII laid the final wreath.  All five of the Vaughan siblings did service in WWII or The Korean conflict.  It was a poignant moment to see him at the age of 87 make the walk on the arm of Jenny Kelly to lay the wreath.  Bill almost died in captivity of exposure and pneumonia.  He was captured by the Germans during Battle of the Bulge and transported in a weakened state to a German stalag.  He survived probably because an Australian Doctor moved him to better quarters and found some drugs to help him.  (Well that's another story)
    Many, many thanks to the Go Getters and especially to Alfreda Speer who orchestrated this program which delighted and awed the good crowd that gathered on a breezy cool day.  The program ended with Taps played over the PA system.  (from Don Cox via e-mail.)

E-mail from Bonnie Garrett

Hi, I came across this blog while trying to find information about an old picture of my grandma's. She was born in 1905 in Indian Territory in Oklahoma. I have a picture of her class around 1915 (I'm guessing). She labeled most of the names of students on the back. I would like to be able to date the photo and maybe share it with descendants of people in the photo. If they are as addicted to genealogy as I they would be thrilled. I have ancestors from the Crescent and Guthrie area of Oklahoma and from Kansas. 

In the picture my grandma is holding a slate that has Cedar Vale No. 34 written on it. Do you know where I could find info about this school? Thanks! Bonnie Garrett

Honoring a Cedar Vale Hero

* from Don Cox *     Note: I tried to bring out the part of the plaque in the dark shadow, but it didn't work very well. Jay Mills.

Saturday last a group of us met at the old post office/legion bldg to remember Ivan Bolton.  Ivan was one of six or seven Bolton siblings who grew up north of Wauneta.  As a young man growing up during the Great Depression he took a job working for Mike And Brady Meldrum.  At the same time a young lady, Retha Hollister found work helping Caroline Meldrum, sister of Mike and Brady.  Well, love stepped in and Ivan and Retha became man and wife, still employed by the Meldrums. In due time a son, Gary, was born.

While this little story was unfolding, a much larger story we know as WW II was beginning.  While little Gary Bolton was still an infant, Dad Ivan and a Wauneta friend Elmo Banning joined the Army to defend our freedom.  Ivan and Elmo were in the 2nd wave which landed at Omaha Beach on D Day.  They were both killed by enemy fire as they breasted the ridge at Omaha Beach.  A grieving widow, family, friends, and a baby son who never knew his dad were left behind.

The Meldrums bought the old bank bldg, later the Post Office, and arranged a sale to the American Legion of the property on VERY easy terms.  They also installed a very  good bronze plaque by the front door which memorialized Ivan.

Gary Bolton's aunt Eileen Hollister McCall and her daughter Janice, Gary's cousin, knew the Plaque and hoped it might be presented to Gary.  Janice asked me about this and I was greatly in favor, but referred her to our mayor Jerry Bowman as the bldg now belonged to the City.  Mayor Bowman got the OK from the Council and plans were made.  Janice and the family got Gary here from CA.  At first he was loath to come until deer season so they had to tell him why although the original plan was to surprise him.

So--if you are still with me--last Sat AM at 11o'clock--we gathered.  There were Bolton brothers of Ivan and several Hollister family representatives.  Most had come from a distance.  There were CV Legion reps, Madison Holroyd, Jess Rayl, and Dale Coffman,  the commander of the Legion in Ark City,  Joe Walker came in full uniform.  Several CV citizens were there so we had 25 or 30 people there at the corner to honor Ivan.

Mayor Bowman started with a few remarks, a prayer and the removal and presentation of the plaque.  I made a few remarks about heroism and led the group in singing "God Bless America".  Joe Walker then made a moving presentation of the American flag with 3 brass shell casings tucked into the fold to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Ivan's brother Bill Bolton made several remarks about growing up with Ivan as a big brother and having Gary on the farm with he and his wife Alene.

Gary then acknowledged the receipt of the plaque and told us with great feeling that although he couldn't remember his dad, he had all the Bolton Brothers as surrogate fathers.

A reception at the Long Shed arranged by the family followed the presentation for visiting and reminiscing.   I was so proud of our little berg for helping with something so important and worthwhile.

Jerry Boman presented  Gary Bolton with the plaque from the old Legion blg.

Note:  If you want to leave a comment on this or any other article, you must first "click" on the title of the article.  When the page is displayed again there will (now) be a link to post a new comment.  All comments must be "approved" or else you would not believe what you would be seeing here. (Not pleasant!)  It can take from several hours to a day or more for your comment to appear.. but it will.  jay -usual e-mail symbol- jaymills.org