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Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory
Last night the audience in the main auditorium welcomed with applause and a standing ovation two World War II veterans for our Memorial Day Recognition. James (Jim) W. Francis and Charles Richard Baskin, both with incredible stories, were presented with a special WWII memorial award.
Jim Francis landed on Omaha Beach in northern France on June 6, 1944, on “D-Day,” which also happened to be his birthday. As he and his fellow soldiers plunged forward through the waves to the beach, he heard the gunfi re and heard bullets zip past his head. As his unit pushed onward, Jim was wounded but kept on going with the help of medics. By the end of his service he had received numerous medals ranging from the Bronze Star to the Purple Heart.
Corporal C.R. Baskin entered the service in May of 1944 and soon found himself overseas. His division made it to France after navigating their way through German-patrolled waters. As they moved through France on their way to Germany, the Germans attacked and C.R. soon found himself in a P.O.W. camp. He contracted pneumonia and was near death when Russian troops arrived in April to rescue the prisoners. By June they were on their way back to France. He was discharged in January of 1947 after a lengthy stay in the hospital.
After presenting each of these men with their awards, Jim Davidson honored the rest of the veterans that were in the auditorium. He reminded us that the purpose of Memorial Day is to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifi ce for their country.
With that, a special video was shown to pay tribute to those in the Southern Union who had lost their lives in the recent confl icts. Thank you, veterans, for what you have
done for America.
by Courtney Herod