From left: Leigh Porterfield, Brenda Askew, Post Adjutant Larry Hume, Geraldine Bridges, Post member Sean Martin, Theresa Hume, Post member Simon Stanley, Post Quartermaster Mary Roberts, Post Chaplain Richard Lundie, and Post Commander, Derrick Roberts.
September 3, 2026 - A small group gathered for a V.J. Day Observance on September 2, 2026 on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse to remember and honor the service and sacrifice of World War II veterans.
VFW Post 8904 and the Auxiliary began the V.J. Day observance with a prayer given by Post Chaplain Richard Lundie for those who answered the call of duty with courage and offered themselves in sacrifice.
Post Quartermaster Larry Hume said, “Thank you all for being here as we observe the 81st anniversary of the formal surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. That day is known to history as V.J. Day - Victory over Japan. As part of the surrender ceremonies aboard the U.S.S. Missouri a broadcast of President Harry Truman was played to the nation. In part, President Truman said, ‘My fellow Americans, and Supreme Allied Commander, General MacArther, in Tokyo Bay: The thoughts and hopes of all America — indeed of all the civilized world — are centered tonight on the battleship Missouri. There on that small piece of American soil anchored in Tokyo Harbor the Japanese have just officially laid down their arms. They have signed terms of unconditional surrender. Four years ago, the thoughts and fears of the whole civilized world were centered on another piece of American soil — Pearl Harbor. The mighty threat to civilization which began there is now laid to rest. It was a long road to Tokyo and a bloody one. We shall not forget Pearl Harbor. The Japanese military will not forget the U.S.S. Missouri. The evil done by the Japanese war lords can never be repaired or forgotten.’ That last line is the reason we return here each year — the evil cannot be repaired. It must not be forgotten. Neither can the Americans who walked that long road - across the islands, the air, and the sea of the Pacific.
"Today, we honor the World War II Veterans who served in the Pacific - those killed in action, those still listed as missing after all these years, and all who came home bearing the war with them. Our remembrance is not only for the fallen. It is for every man and woman who served in that theater.
"We would be remiss if we did not remember a Shelby Countian and a good friend, Mr. A.J. Procell. He was a 21-year old sailor aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina in Tokyo Bay that morning, 81 years ago. From her decks he watched history take place aboard the Missouri. Mr. Procell is now 102 years old and lives at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City. The greatest generation is passing quickly. Of the more than sixteen million Americans who served in the second World War, only tens of thousands remain with us. Each year these living witnesses grow fewer. That is why days like this matter.
In remembrance a memorial wreath was hung at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse by Post Quartermaster Mary Roberts.
Shelby County Veterans who were lost in the Pacific War are listed below. Of those remembered, there were 7 buried overseas and 15 who are missing-in-action. Of those remembered and who were returned home, there were 12 buried in Shelby County, 2 buried in Texas, and 1 buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Alford, John C.B. - Missing in Action May 7, 1942
Allen, Ernest W. - Killed in Action September 4, 1943, Philippines
Beckham, James L. - Killed in Action April 26, 1945, Okinawa
Ceal, Rayford - Killed in Action February 7, 1945, Philippines
Childs, Philip H. - Missing in Action July 28, 1942
Cleveland, James A. - Missing in Action September 7, 1944
Collum, Royce C. - Killed in Action April 11, 1945, Okinawa
Crausby, Marvin K. - Killed in Action August 8, 1943, India
Compton, Bobbie B. - Killed in Action July 14, 1944, Philippines
Crump, Bobby A. - Killed in Action May 30, 1945, Okinawa
Duncan, Roy V. - Missing in Action April 16, 1945
Essery, Robert H. - Killed in Action April 23, 1945, Pacific
Harvey, Pershing H. - Missing in Action October 24, 1944
Herndon, Ralph - Killed in Action April 8, 1945, Philippines
Holt, Dudley D. - Killed in Action May 16, 1945, Philippines
Johnson, Leroy - Killed in Action January 26, 1945, Luzon
Jolley, Curtis - Missing in Action October 24, 1944
Lathon, Willie E. - Missing in Action December 12, 1943
McCallum, Bryan Jr. - Killed in Action March 1, 1945, Iwo Jima
Miller, John R. - Killed in Action April 9, 1945, Philippines
Mitchell, Thomas T. - Killed in Action April 2, 1945, Philippines
Odom, Joe L. - Killed in Action July 8, 1944, Saipan
Nicholson, Kenneth N. - Missing in Action October 27, 1942
Rhodes, Ben R. - Killed in Action July 28, 1942, Pacific
Risinger, Darwin - Missing in Action September 5, 1945, Plane Crash
Scott, John C. - Missing in Action June 19, 1944
Snider, Rennie C. - Killed in Action August 3, 1944, Marianas
Spurlock, Luther M. - Killed in Action January 23, 1943, Samoa
Stack, Johnie - Missing in Action November 30, 1942
Tindol, James P. - Killed in Action June 25, 1944, Saipan
Webb, Arvin - Killed in Action December 19, 1945, New Guinea
Wharton, Robert H. - Missing in Action November 20, 1943
Whiteside, Marion B. Jr. - Missing in Action October 19, 1942
Wilkerson, Claude M. - Missing in Action May 8, 1942
Williams, Eligie P. - Missing in Action December 6, 1943
Windham, Melvin T. - Killed in Action April 4, 1945, Luzon
Winfrey, Sil Jr. - Died Aircraft Crash May 9, 1945, Australia
May we never forget!
