VFW remembers the Maine, Spanish American War veterans at service

VFW remembers the Maine, Spanish American War veterans at service News Staff Thu, 02/22/2024 - 05:12 Image

• Post #8904 members, auxiliary and friends gathered Thursday, Feb. 15 to remember the U.S.S. Maine and the Spanish-American War. Leon Aldridge | The Light and Champion
• Post Senior Vice Commander Mike Wulf placed the post’s memorial wreath on the Veteran’s Memorial in remembrance of the U.S.S. Maine and the Spanish- American War. Leon Aldridge | The Light and Champion

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Shelby County VFW Post #8904 Post Quartermaster Larry Hume welcomed a gathering of members, auxiliary and friends Thursday, Feb. 15 to remember the U.S.S. Maine and the Spanish- American War.

Post Chaplain Kenneth Ramsey offered the opening prayer. “Father, we gather here today to remember those who lost their lives so many years ago and are now in your heavenly kingdom. Watch over those who have come after them and today continue to guard the gates of freedom just as the crew of the U.S.S. Maine did. Amen.

Hume led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag.

Standing at the Veteran’s Memorial on the grounds of the 1885 Historic Shelby County Courthouse, Hume said, “One hundred twenty-six years ago today, February 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana Cuba — 266 American crewmen and Marines were killed.

“Spain was blamed for the explosion, and the Spanish-American War began as a result,” Hume continued. “Less than four months later, on August 12, 1898, the United States won a decisive victory.

“This was the first war the United States had ever fought beyond its shores, and 3,000 American military were lost,” said Hume. “But mostly from yellow and typhoid fever from fighting in the jungles and the Philippine American War that followed.

“Teddy Roosevelt of Roughrider fame told his troops as they mustered out ‘Enjoy the next 15 days, because after that you will be forgotten.’ And they were,” Hume said. “And because of the United States government’s refusal of proper medical care, these veterans banded together in organizations that would eventually become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

“Today, we are here to remember the lives lost so long ago in the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine and the Spanish-American War that ensued. We thank them for their service just as we thank the veterans of all wars.”

Post Senior Vice Commander Mike Wulf placed the post’s memorial wreath on the Veteran’s Memorial.

Hume continued, “Shelby County, Texas, has participated in all wars, and has six veterans that can be connected to the Spanish-American War.

“Elijah Webb was born in 1866 here in Shelby County, Texas. He voluntarily enlisted at the beginning of the Spanish- American War, was sent to Cuba, and then ordered to Manila in the Philippines,” said Hume. “He served with Company H, 44th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.

“While the Spanish American War ended in August 1898, the first Philippine Republic objected to the terms under which the United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain, and the fighting continued there until July 2, 1902.

“During the fighting in the Philippines, Elijah Webb was killed on June 16, 1900, and his body returned to Shelby County for burial in August 1901,” said Hume. “A short Houston Post newspaper article dated August 18, 1901, said in part: ‘On the large box which held the metallic coffin was his name, the number of his company and the cause of his death, which as stated on the box ‘was a knife wound in the head.’

“It went on to say that ‘Lige’ had many friends here, and a good crowd witnessed the casket in which rested his remains.

“He was buried in the Center Cemetery as it was called then,” said Hume. “And is now known as the Methodist Cemetery, which is located behind the First United Methodist Church on Porter Street here in Center.”

Others from Shelby County, Texas, who served in the Spanish- American War are Edwin A. Booth, passed in 1941, buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson; Brunson Cline, passed in 1969, buried in the Carroll Cemetery; Charles Hudson, passed in 1949, buried in the Corinth Cemetery in Timpson; Charlie E. Matlock, passed in 1935, buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery; and James Mosby, Jr., passed in 1933, buried in Fairview Cemetery.

“Today we can honor these local veterans,” said Hume. “And the all the other forefathers of our great organization, by continuing to fight for veterans rights and benefits, just as they did.”

Taps was sounded by Past Post Commander Gene Hutto in honor of the U.S.S. Maine and all who fought in the Spanish- American War and the Philippine Insurrection that followed.

“Thank you for being here today to ensure that these veterans were not forgotten,” Hume concluded. “We will gather here again on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 10:00 a.m. to remember those veterans who served during Operation Desert Storm.”