The Bernard Romans DAR chapter in Columbus is reaching out to descendants of World War I Lowndes County soldiers whose names appear on two plaques previously displayed at Magnolia Bowl in Columbus. Family members are urged to attend a rededication of the white marble “Roll of Honor” plaques Saturday, Nov. 7 in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse.
“These 22 soldiers served their country in the World War of 1917-1918 and did not return home,” said Alice Stallworth Lancaster, regent of the Bernard Romans chapter. The plaques were originally dedicated Nov. 11, 1933, by the DAR chapter and the Tombigbee Unit No. 69 American Legion Auxiliary.
The plaques will be part of a new World War I Memorial to be dedicated at the courthouse following a Veterans Day parade Nov. 7. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Municipal Complex at 1501 Main St. and makes its way to the courthouse at 505 Second Avenue N. A wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and includes the dedication and remarks by Columbus Air Force Base 14th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. John Nichols. The public is encouraged to attend both the parade and ceremony.
The Bernard Romans chapter hopes descendants of any World War I soldier memorialized on the plaques will attend the ceremony. Those men, as their names appear on the plaques, are: Eli Ashmore; Greenwood Bailey; George Barrow; Hayden Brooks, 1st Lieut.; Llewellyn Brownlee; Frank Childs; Wm. Colshorn; Fred Egger; Tom Golding; Joseph J. House; G. S. Keenum; Atwell Lincoln, Capt.; W. S. Mullins, Capt.; Sam Mullins; Robert Lee Nobles; J. S. Peters, 1st Lieut.; E. G. Flippo, Jr.; Jarvis Seales; Will Strauss; Nathaniel Thornton; John H. Wheeler; and John Williford.
“If your family member appears on this list, please come to the event on Nov. 7,” invited Lancaster. The chapter regent also thanked the Lowndes County Supervisors and the Lowndes Community Foundation for their significant help in the rededication effort.
For more information, contact Lancaster at 662-425-4026.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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