Shelby County Today

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January 28, 2019 - (Click here to view program) - The Vietnam Peace Accord of 1973 was observed at the Shelby County Courthouse by VFW Post 8904 Veterans and Auxiliary Monday, January 28, 2019.

Leading the ceremony was Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, who recited a history of the accord, which read as follows:

The Paris Peace Accords ended the fighting in Vietnam, it was signed 46 years ago on January 27, 1973 and was followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops. The terms of the accord called for a complete cease fire in south Vietnam. It allowed north Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured, it provided for the release of all U.S. prisoners of war, and called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict. As an enticement to South Vietnam, President Richard Nixon offered U.S. air power to enforce the peace terms; unfortunately, this was stopped in December of 1974 when Congress cut off all military aid to south Vietnam.

"More than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in the Vietnam War, and there's still 1,590 missing in action. At this very moment, we have POW MIA accounting teams continues to search around the world wherever there are missing Americans," said Hume.

"We have 12 Vietnam Veterans that were killed in action, or died in training, that are buried here in Shelby County, Texas," said Hume.

The names were read by Post and Auxiliary members Mary Fausett, Gene Hutto, Travis Snider, and Rhonda Profitt, niece of Jerry Lynn Hughes, who was present with her father Bobby McCauley.

Hume stated there are many things and stories to be remembered, "William Henry Eaden, he was the first to die in the Vietnam War. I told someone a while ago that Larry Byford, when he was in the Army he came home on leave, and he attended Shorty Andrews Funeral in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Four months later they buried Larry Byford in that same cemetery."

A memorial wreath was hung on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Vietnam Veteran Newton Johnson Jr. Taps was then sounded as presented by Gene Hutto, Post Commander.

Shelby County Servicemen Killed in Action in Vietnam

• John B. Lightfoot, killed in an armed training accident on October 3, 1974.

• Samuel R. Lynch, killed in action December 18, 1970. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 6 West, Line 130.

• Calvin R. Patrick, killed in action May 28, 1969. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 24 West, Line 106.

• William Henry Eaden, killed in action on November 12, 1965. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 3 East, Line 42.

• Ted Wayne Adams, killed in action on November 15, 1966. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 12 East, Line 76.

• Taylor D. Johnson, killed in action on January 28, 1966. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 4 East, Line 103.

• William Larry "Shorty" Andrews, killed in action on February 16, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 15 East, Line 38.

• Larry Stephen Byford, killed in action on June 23, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 22 East, Line 52.

• Jerry Lynn Hughes, killed in action on July 12, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 23 East, Line 59.

• Ray A. Chatelain, killed in action on July 30, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 24 East, Line 50.

• Jimmy D. Barnett, killed in action on March 26, 1968. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 46 East, Line 28.

• Mac Curtis Buckley, killed in action on July 5, 1968. His name on the wall can be found at Panel 53 West, Line 16.

January 22, 2019 - The Piney Woods Photographic Society held it’s first 2019 meeting this past Saturday. The workshop featured a presentation on Flash Photography and the monthly challenge was “Open” or it might could be classified as Photographer’s Choice, with pictures submitted by club members for voting and critique.

The next meeting will be the 3rd Saturday in February, with a workshop on Leading Lines and the challenge will feature pictures submitted by club members on “Still Life.” 

For more information on any club meeting or challenge contact Billie F. Jones, call or text, 936-591-2426.

First place: Lawrence Davis, Center, Tx

Second Place: Angie Junell Davis, Center, TX

Third Place: Linda Henson, Milam, TX

January 16, 2019 - On Saturday, January 12, 2018, the members of Newbern Masonic Lodge #97 presented Mrs. Barbara Scates with the Community Builder award for her service to her community and dedication to children at Excelsior Elementary School. The event was attended by her family and friends. OES Newbern #1135 provided refreshments for the celebration. Barbara Scates is pictured on the left and Charlie Brittain, Worshipful Master of Newbern Lodge #97, on the right.

January 11, 2019 - Newbern Lodge No. 97 of Arcadia, TX presented the Community Builder Award to Barbara Scates on January 5, 2019. Charlie O’Brian Brittain, Worshipful Master, led the evening’s event. Following a prayer and pledges to the American and Texas flags, Barbara Scates was presented the award. This prestigious award was established by the Grand Lodge of Texas so that lodges can formally recognize outstanding non-Masons who have distinguished themselves through their service to the community, local and state governments, places of worship, or to humanity at large. Community Builders are often found in service clubs, public school systems, religious activities, and all kinds of volunteer work. They are everywhere you look but often go unseen. According to Brittain, Mrs. Scates was given this award in recognition of distinguished service and personal contributions to the community and for her years of work at Excelsior School.

Barbara is married to Jerry Scates and they have three children, Angie Simmons, Michael Scates and Lloyd Scates. She is a CASA volunteer, an Ambassador with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Shelby County Historical Society, a member of the Excelsior PTO, secretary/treasurer of the newly formed organization, Excelsior School Alumni and numerous other school and community projects. Being a parent and a grandparent is her most treasured profession. She finds time on occasion to spend a day on the lake fishing with her husband and usually a grandchild or two, but most days are spent lending a helping hand to others.

Mrs. Scates thanked the lodge for honoring her with this award. She questions why she was chosen for this recognition and related to the crowd, “I am a giver, I like to see things happen and most importantly, I like to make things happen. It’s just who I am.”

She also thanked the members of the Newbern lodge for their part in serving the community. She expressed her appreciation to the ladies of the Eastern Star for the food served to her and her family members on this occasion.

Congratulations Barbara Scates!