Shelby County Today

September 11, 2025 - (Photo Album) - VFW Post 8904 members hosted the 2025 Patriot’s Day Remembrance program at the Historic 1885 Shelby County Courthouse on September 11, 2025.

Larry Hume, VFW Post Adjutant, opened the program and invited Pastor Josh Crawford to offer the opening prayer.

“It’s been a long time, 24 years ago the events of September 11, 2001 changed our country and also changed the world and today as in past years we promise to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost and to honor them,” said Hume. “We honor a nation that in its darkest hour found light in courage and compassion of its people.”

Hume continued by sharing that both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and first responders know the weight of sacrifice.

“Our organization was born from the valor of those who served in foreign wars, but our purpose extends to every hero who has protected our country,” said Hume. “On September 11, our nation lost a part of its innocence, but in that moment of fear and chaos we found the strength we hadn’t seen since the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II December 7, 1941.”

Hume continued, “The cowardly acts of terrorism took the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and children and injured thousands more all while sending a clear message and that message was, freedom has enemies.”

The tyrants made a fatal error that day, said Hume, and he highlighted the terrorists had misjudged the determination of Americans and that the attacks which were intended to instill fear, cause division and weakness were met with true American spirit united and unwavering before the world.

“After the attack, we witnessed heroism in our city streets. We saw firefighters, police officers, paramedics run toward danger. We saw ordinary Americans risk everything to help their neighbors. They embodies the highest ideal of patriotism, not just a love of country, but a willingness to act on that love,” said Hume. 

Hume reflected on the reconstruction of the damaged portion of the Pentagon and the field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania growing green again over time and the construction of the skyscraper at the site of the World Trade Center as a monument to American resilience.

“We will forever honor the memory of those who perished that day,” said Hume. “We honor the selfless courage of the firefighters, the police officers, and the emergency personnel who ran toward danger without a second thought. Their heroic acts reminded us that patriotism isn’t just about love of country, it’s about a willingness to serve and sacrifice for your neighbors.”

Hume elaborated on that spirit of service being our legacy and that it brought a fresh and harsh reminder that freedom must never be under-appreciated, because it's never free. The sacrifices made in places like Afghanistan and Iraq were a direct response to the evil that attacked us on 9/11. They were a testament to America’s commitment to stand strong against violence and to help ensure that others have the opportunity to live in freedom and peace. 

Shelby County, Texas has given three of her sons to the War on Terror that followed the 9/11 attacks and Hume said that the first to die was Larry E. Polley Jr., United States Army, and he was killed in action in Iraq 21 years ago on January 17, 2004. Four years later Kevin Casey Roberts, United States Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 7, 2008. He also was buried with full military honors in the West Hamilton Cemetery, leaving a wife and two small children. Cory Bertrand, United States Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan 17 years ago October 14, 2008, and he too was buried with full military honors in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at the age of 18. 

“So as we leave here today, let's honor the fallen not just with words but with a renewed commitment. Join us, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in vowing to serve our communities and our nation doing more than we did the day before. Let us live lives worthy of the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and ensure that their memory lives on forever,” said Hume.

By presidential proclamation flags were lowered to half-staff on the morning of September 11, and they will remain so until sundown on Sunday, September 14 and this is also in conjunction with honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk who was killed September 10, 2025 in Utah. 

First responders from several agencies were present to speak during the Patriot Day program including Keith Byndom, Center Fire Chief; Mike Hanson, Chief Deputy for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department; Andrew Williams, Center Police Department Lieutenant; and Jessie Griffith, Allegiance Mobile Health.

A memorial wreath was then placed on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Center Police Chief Ricky King. Taps was then played as presented by Lee Jarvis, Post Member.

Leigh Porterfield closed the program by singing, “God Bless America.”

August 22, 2025 - TCCA's "Harvest for Homes" food pantry will be temporarily closed until further notice. The community will be notified via newspaper, radio, TCCA webpage, and TCCA facebook page once the food pantry has re-opened.

August 12, 2025 - Two grass trucks, 405 and 406, utilized by the Center Fire Department recently had their fire suppression equipment refurbished due to a generous grant awarded to the Center Volunteer Firefighters.

Del Birdwell, Center Volunteer Fire Chief, shared that the Bonehill Foundation awarded a total of $30,000 to the volunteers for repairs to two of their grass trucks. Both of the trucks are 2004 models and are used often.

According to Birdwell, one truck had already been having multiple problems before the firefighters responded to a fire at Bonehill Hunting Club in 2024. While they were fighting that fire, their other grass truck began having problems with the motor on its pump.

“We had some problems out of that truck with the pump that day, because of Shelbyville it wasn’t a problem we got everything knocked out. Shortly after that Bonehill Foundation donated us $25,000,” said Birdwell.

With the $25,000 donation the department was able to buy a brand new skid unit, which is an all one piece unit including an all brand new tank, pump and motor.

Birdwell explained that the volunteers had voted to spend $5,000 on a pump and motor combination for the other truck, 406.

“In between me getting it ordered and our meeting Bonehill Foundation came back with another $5,000 and we put a brand new pump and motor on [that] one,” said Birdwell.

The work being done on the two trucks has essentially given the department two new grass trucks, one with a 250 gallon tank and the other with a 300 gallon tank, according to Birdwell. He said. the department is also in the top ten in the state to possibly receive a grant for another grass truck.

In addition to the $30,000 donation to the Center Volunteer Fire Department, they also gave Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department a $10,000 donation.

“We’re very fortunate we got that,” said Birdwell.

August 1, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on Friday July 25, in recognition of the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice.

Larry Hume, Post Adjutant, reminded everyone that the war lasted from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.

“Hundreds of thousands of Americans served their country in that war and many gave their lives,” said Hume. “You know some people call the Korean War the forgotten war, but those Americans who served during that time will never be forgotten by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They served honorably and with distinction.” 

Hume remarked that some called it a Korean conflict, and that It was not a conflict, but a war. With 33,686 battle deaths, 2,830 non-battle deaths, and 103,000 wounded and still today the missing in action from the Korean War is over 7,600 Americans. 

“We can never thank and recognize those who served during that time enough,” said Hume. “Now during the Korean War seven citizens of Shelby County were among those killed in action. One is still missing in action and four others were former prisoners of war who were returned but have since passed.” 

The group then recited a Roll Call of Honor read by Theresa Hume, Auxiliary member; Mary Faucett, Auxiliary President; and Mary Roberts, Post Quartermaster, read the names of those killed in action and those who were prisoners of war. Larry Hume stated Willie Windham is still missing in action since August 12, 1950.

After the names were read, Hume stated, “One year ago, on July 1, 2024, our post lost a longtime life member John Alan Piersol. John served as our post commander from 2009 to 2011 and he also served in several other positions throughout the years. He was a charter member of our post honor guard and gave 462 hours rendering final military honors to our Shelby County veterans. John was a proud U.S. Army paratrooper who served in the Korean War and we remember him today on the first anniversary of his death.”

Larry Jones, Post member, then placed the memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Memorial and Taps was played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past Post Commander.

Killed in Action:

• Floyd Harris killed in action in September 24, 1950
• Clifford Hughes killed in action August 13, 1950
• Johnny V. Mena killed in action April 19, 1951
• Bobbie F. Mock killed in action November 22, 1950
• Billy Clyde Stephenson killed in action November 5, 1952
• Leonard Williams killed in action May 18, 1951
• Willie Wilson killed in action May 27, 1951

Missing in Action:

• Willie E. Windham missing in action since August 12, 1950

Prisoners of War:

• Herbert L. Langford, North Korean prisoner of war
• Pearl D. Lucas, North Korean prisoner of war
• Billy Westcoat, Chinese prisoner of war
• Leonard Scott, North Korean prisoner of war