‘Time to start remembering’: Abilene man spends years researching, tells 650 local Veterans’ stories
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – At its core, Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives in service of our country and our freedom. However, former Elmwood Funeral Home employee and self-described collector of history, J.D. York, says that in his experience, it is the causes and events, rather than the people who fought for them that get memorialized. That’s why he has been working for three years now to ensure our local Veterans’ sacrifices will not go forgotten.
“We are really good about remembering the events; 9/11, Pearl Harbor, all those. But, we’ve forgotten about the people,” York said.
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Through family genealogies, letters, newspaper clippings, and many other sources, York has now compiled comprehensive histories of at least 650 Veterans with ties to the Abilene community who were killed in action, missing in action, prisoners of war (POW), or died in non-battle during conflicts spanning from World War I to the war in Afghanistan.
“One day, I was helping a family find their loved one’s grave out in the cemetery and the lady looked down and said, ‘that is my uncle. He died in a POW camp in Japan.’ Well, there’s nothing out there that says that. It just has his name on it. Jack Perry Abilene High School…They (Veteran families) tell me, ‘we thought that people had forgotten,'” recalled York. “I agree with the families. We made a promise as a country to never forget, and I, again don’t pull any punches, I say we lied. We lied. We have forgotten and it’s time to start remembering.”
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While York is not finished with his research, each of these names are now accompanied by a 4 to 12-page profile on the life and legacy of the Veteran. York will present these findings and stories at a Memorial Day service at Elmwood Funeral Home, as well as post a photo and brief life summary at the gravesite of the 68 Veterans interred at Elmwood Memorial Park.
The project extends beyond Elmwood by including cemeteries within a 100-mile radius of Abilene, and even some buried at out-of-state sites that have a connection to the city, whether through service or schooling. York told KTAB/KRBC he felt that by speaking the fallen soldiers’ names once more and bringing their stories to light, their service and their lives are honored as they should be.
“Once a year is all we’re asking… Delay the barbecue, delay the shopping,” York insisted. “It lets their families know, more importantly, that they have not been forgotten. Their sacrifice was not in vain.”
That sacrifice is best explained in the words of the fallen themselves. York has found quotes from many of the Veterans and included them in his presentation. Two of those final accounts taken directly from York’s research findings follow:
“Nate spotted the flashes of missiles being launched, within seconds SAMS began to track him. He calmly radioed that he was taking evasive action. Those were his last words. He wrote to his family, Regardless of the destination I feel I am trained for any mission or contingency. I have faith that those at the helm above have fully weighed the consequences and have determined that the resulting good will far outweigh the bad.”
– 2nd Lieutenant Nathan ‘Juice’ Dennis White, Age 30, 1st U.S. Pilot killed in the Iraqi War, 1991 Graduate of Cooper High School, KIA April 2nd, 2003.
“Delano had written a letter to his four children Which was to be read to them in the event of his death. The letter reads in part. I am no longer with you because I returned to a little country that I felt was in dire need of my knowledge and talents. A country whose people are fighting for their lives…I left with the knowledge that I might not return but I also knew that it was a fight that might possibly save you from enduring the hardships of war or the oppressive heel of cruel godless communist regimes. These words sound empty and hollow to me tonight. and to you also probably. But in time you will understand. Now you must be happy for you have your life ahead of you.”
– Master Sergeant Henry Harrison Hank Delano, Age 35, attended Abilene High School, KIA July 22, 1996 in Phong Dinh Province, South Vietnam.
J.D. York’s findings of his ongoing research will be presented at a Memorial Day Service at Elmwood Cemetery on Monday, May 27 at 9:00 a.m. – 5750 US Highway 277 South in Abilene. York will also post photos and summaries of the 68 honored Veterans by their graves.
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