Read The Names: Memorial Walls Honor Veterans In Walnut Hill, Century
November 11, 2008
Two memorial walls in North Escambia stand as tributes to veterans from across the area. One is in Walnut Hill, the other in Century.
For photographs that include the names on both the Century and Walnut Hill memorial walls, click here.
Century
About thirty of those that served from the Century area are now honored on the Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor that was unveiled in the Fourth of July ceremony at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29.
A few new names were added just this week, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall. For more information about adding a name to the wall, call the Town Hall at (850) 256-3208
Walnut Hill
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are currently 274 names on the wall, including 13 names of soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
“If you a veteran, you deserve to be there,” Walnut Hill Ruritan Club President Billy R. Ward said. “You’ve already paid you debt; we wanted this wall to honor the veterans.”
The idea originated with Leroy Wiggins back in late 2001, Ward said, after he saw a picture of a similar Ruritan wall in Virginia in a national magazine.
The club formed two committees, headed up by Billy G. Ward and Wiggins to research construction of the wall and the list of name to be included.
Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
If you know a veteran from the Walnut Hill area (including Bratt, Davisville, Oak Grove and Enon) that should be included on the honor wall, call Billy R. Ward at (850) 256-2907. Or mail the veteran’s name, address, city, state, phone, branch of service, dates of service and your name and phone number to: Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 35, Walnut Hill, FL 32568.
Molino Accident Severely Injures Cantonment Teen
November 11, 2008
A single vehicle accident seriously injured one person Monday night in Molino.
The accident happened about 9:50 on Molino Road near Veazey Lane. A 17-year old Cantonment resident’s Ford F150 pickup truck left Molino Road and plowed through a wooded area, coming to rest several yards into the woods.
The male driver sustained severe injuries and was transported by ambulance to the area of Nicholson Drive and Kemala Avenue and then transferred to LifeFlight. It was not immediately clear if the driver crawled out of the pickup or was ejected.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: A Cantonment teen was severely injured in this one vehicle accident Monday night on Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Don’t Say No To The USO
November 11, 2008
Northview High School honored area veterans with a one act play “Don’t Say No To The USO” Monday morning at the school during the school’s annual Veterans Day program.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from “Don’t Say No To The USA”, click here.
Pictured above: A scene from “Don’t Say No To The USO” at Northview High School. Pictured below: Veterans from all branches of service were honored Monday during the annual Veterans Day program at Northview. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Mayor Issues Veterans Day Proclamation
November 11, 2008
Century Mayor Freddie McCall has issued a proclamation urging the residents of Century to observe Veterans Day.
“The men and women who have and currently are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America have made major contributions toward the preservation of this nation and her people,” the proclamation reads. “Honorable service performed in the defense of our nation and her cause in time of war is the highest form of citizenship.”
“The nationa and free world are eternally grateful for the contribution of American veterans — men and women — to the advancement of the cause of an honorable world peace,” the proclamation continues.
The proclamation calls on residents of Century to observe Veterans Day with “appropriate ceremonies in honor of those who have served and are serving to preserve the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”
Health Alert: Hot Dogs Possibly Sold In Area Are Recalled
November 11, 2008
Be careful of with your hot dog if it is Zeiglar brand. Several varieties that were sold in Escambia County and surrounding areas are subject to a recall because they might be contaminated with Listeria.
R. L. Zeigler Co., Inc., a Selma, Ala., firm, is recalling approximately 28,610 pounds of hot dog products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The following products are subject to recall:
- 12-ounce packages of “ZEIGLER WIENERS MADE WITH CHICKEN AND PORK, ARTIFICIALLY COLORED.” Each package bears the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and the establishment number “P-9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 12-ounce packages of “VACUUM PACKED PAR-TI PUPS.” Each package bears the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and the establishment number “P-9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 12-ounce packages of “ZEIGLER Original Recipe WIENERS, artificially colored.” Each package bears the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and the establishment number “EST. 9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 16-ounce packages of “Zeigler Jumbo Franks.” Each package bears the use-by date of “Nov. 21, 2008″ and the establishment number “P-9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 12-ounce packages of “Zeigler Hot Dogs.” Each package bears the use-by date of “Nov. 26, 2008″ and the establishment number “P-9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 10-pound bulk boxes of “SKINLESS WIENERS, 8 WIENERS PER LB.” Each box bears the package code “PK 092208A” and the establishment number “EST. 9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 10-pound bulk boxes of “SKINLESS WIENERS, ARTIFICIALLY COLORED, 10 WIENERS PER LB.” Each box bears the package code “PK 092208A” and the establishment number “EST. 9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 10-pound bulk boxes of “SKINLESS WIENERS, 10 WIENERS PER LB.” Each box bears the package code “PK 092208A” and the establishment number “EST. 9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 10-pound bulk boxes of “SKINLESS WIENERS, 12 WIENERS PER LB.” Each box bears the package code “PK 092208A” and establishment number “EST. 9156S” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The hot dog products were produced on Sept. 22, and were sent to food service institutions and retail establishments in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The problem was discovered by the Georgia State Department of Agriculture through microbiological testing. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
A Boy’s Army Hero: Remembering His Father
November 11, 2008
Sgt. Joe Louis Thames died July 2, 2007, from complications from chemical exposure during the Vietnam war. He died a hero in America’s eyes, and he died a hero in the eyes of his son.
Ladarius Thames held a triangle folded flag close to his heart during a Veterans Day ceremony at Bratt Elementary School. It was the flag that covered his father’s casket. The flag was given to his family after the military honors funeral for his father.
“I am the son of Sgt. Joe Louis Thames,” Ladarius told the crowd at Bratt’s Veterans Day program. “He fought in the Vietnam War, and he was a very brave soldier.”
Sgt. Thames joined the United State Army in 1968. He served two years in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and a Purple Heart.
“His citation for the Bronze star stated ‘Specialist 5 Joe L Thames gave outstanding service against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He used good judgement and extensive knowledge. He showed loyalty, diligence and devotion to the United States Army’,” Ladarius read.
“I am going to join the Army and follow in my father’s footsteps,” Ladarius said. “I want to serve our country. I want to make the world safe for my wife and kids. I want to be like my father. He was a hero.”
Ladarius held the flag close to his heart as the Bratt students sang The Star Spangled Banner, a song that was undoubtedly close to his father’s heart.
“At his funeral, my family received this American flag,” Ladarius said. “It was a very special tribute to a very special man.”
Pictured above and below: Bratt fifth grader Ladarius Thames holds the American flag that covered the casket of his father, Army Sgt. Joe Louis Thames. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Whiting Field Commander, Others Honor Veterans At Century Care Center
November 11, 2008
Madge Bundrick did her part to help America win World War II.
Fast forward about 65 years. Monday,Madge Bundrick sat in her wheelchair at the Century Care Center, covered on the cool morning by an American flag blanket. She received a pin in honor of her service from Captain Charlie Code, Northview High School’s NJROTC instructor. Captain Code stepped back and saluted Madge Bundrick . She wiped her eyes.
Captain Rick Sadsad, commanding officer of Whiting Field Naval Air Station also attended the ceremony, taking the time to personally shake the hand of each veteran.
“Thank you for your service ma’am,” Capt. Sadsad told Madge. “Thank you so very much.”
As Whiting’s commander, Capt. Sadsad commands a massive operation, with over 18,000 helicopter pilots passing through Whiting in the past 10 years. Every helicopter pilot from the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq is a Whiting product. There are over 3,000 military and civilian employees at Whiting.
But for a few minutes Monday morning, Madge Bundrick was the most important of them all to Captain Sadsad. And so was W.E. Welch, John Garrett, James Gilley, John Still, Velma Sanders, Ruth Hagen, Elma Lambeth, Paul Moore, William Pritchett and the other veterans honored at Century Care Center.
“These men and women mean a lot to me,” Capt. Sadsad said. “They are our heritage. They fought, and they served for our freedom. It’s the least we can do to take the time to honor them.”
Each veteran at Century Care Center was also presented a hand colored picture in crayon from local school children by Century Mayor Freddie McCall during Monday’s event sponsored in part by Covenant Hospice.
For a complete photo gallery from Century Care Center’s Veterans Day program, click here.
Pictured below: Pictured above: Madge Bundrick helped the war effort building aircraft starters during World War II. Captain Rick Sadsad, commander of Whiting Field, shakes hands with veteran John Garrett. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Finalizes Garbage And Recyclables Plan For North Escambia; Service Begins January 1
November 10, 2008
The Emerald Coast Utilities had finalized a garbage and recyclables program that will being in North Escambia and rest of the county on January 1.
ECUA takes over current North Escambia Allied Waste customers on January 1. Monday, the ECUA board adopted a program of once-a-week garbage collection with a voluntary once-a-week recyclables collection at a monthly rate for all customers of $17.99. An additional fuel recovery fee will be added to that amount.
Both the recyclables and the waste cans will be picked up on the same day, a change from the plan the board originally approved that called for the garbage and recyclables to be picked up on different days. A second can for regular garbage may be used for an additional charge of $3 per month. Both cans for regular garbage will be picked up on the same day of the week.
District 5 ECUA representative Larry Walker made a motion to adopt a program of once-a-week garbage collection and voluntary participation in once-a-week recyclables collection at a monthly rate of $18.43. Customers who chose to not receive the recyclables collection would pay $17.52. The motion failed with no second.
“My motive in making this motion was to offer the lowest possible base charges, given that the majority appeared to be insistent on once-a-week service for pickup of regular garbage,” Walker said.
District 3 member Elvin McCorvey made a motion, seconded by Walker, to adopt a program of twice-a-week pickup of regular garbage and once-a-week pickup of recyclables. McCorvey argued that many customers genuinely need twice-a-week pickup of regular garbage, and Walker was sympathetic to that argument. This motion failed by a 3-2 vote, with McCorvey and Walker in the minority.
A motion was made to adopt a program of once-a-week garbage collection and voluntary participation in once-a-week recyclables collection at a monthly rate for all customers of $17.99. There will be no reduction in the monthly charge for those who decline to use the recyclables collection service. This motion was adopted by a 3-2 vote, with McCorvey and Walker in the minority. The plan begins January 1.
ECUA staff was directed to decide whether collection of regular garbage and collection of recyclables will be made on the same day or on different days of the week. If done on separate days, the base rate will have to be increased by 20 cents per month, Walker said.
The current monthly charge, both of ECUA and of Allied, is $19.62 plus a fuel recovery fee.. The new program will have a base charge of $17.99 plus the fuel charge. Customers who participate in recyclables collection will receive two cans of pickup per week, as they do now, but with the requirement that only designated recyclable materials may be put in the recyclables can.
Work Begins On Drew’s Field In Memory Of Little Drew Marlow
November 10, 2008
With the rumble of a bulldozer, the dream of Drew’s Field took another major step forward during the past week. For the first time since Cyndi Marlow dreamed of Drew’s Field, it’s a bit easier to look at the upper area of Bradberry Park and see the dream of Drew’s Field.
For the past week, a lone bulldozer has moved tons of dirt at Bradberry Park, carefully carving Drew’s Field out of the land.
Two year old Drew Marlow and his dad Danny Marlow died January 28 in an accident on Highway 97. A short time later, the Northwest Escambia Little League voted to name a new t-ball field at the back of Bradberry Park “Drew’s Field” in honor of Drew’s dream to play ball.
The total price tag for all of the dirt work to build Drew’s Field? Nothing. A Cantonment contractor took over the entire construction process — from pulling permits to erosion control studies to the actual hands-on labor to build in the park — for free.
The Poarch Creek Indians have donated fencing for the project. Now, Cyndi said, she needs to find funding or donations for sod. And about $15,000 for lighting. If all goes as planned, Drew’s Field will be ready for opening day in the spring.
“It’s exciting to see it come together,” Cyndi said. “I’m so happy to see things happen.”
In the meantime, the monument is done that will stand at Drew’s Field. It’s a little over five feet tall. The top reads “Welcome to Drew’s Field” and the bottom features a quote from Danny. “Always let your Light shine,” it says. That’s what Danny would always tell players after ballgames that he coached.
The middle of the monument features a little boy and man walking hand in hand toward the sunset with baseball caps and a bat. The back of the boy’s jersey says “Drew” and has the number “3″ and the man’s jersey says “Drew’s Dad” and has the number “3″ too.
Drew and Danny spent hours playing with a blue and orange Florida Gators bat. Dreaming of that big t-ball opening day they both just knew would come when that little boy with a big number “3” on his jersey stepped to the plate.
Danny had it all planned out, down to the jersey number. Drew was Cyndi and Danny’s “miracle baby”…he was their third attempt at in vitro conception.
“We were just so excited. But then we went to the doctor. They rate the chances of the embryo surviving on a scale of one to five. A four or below has a small chance of surviving.”
“The doctor rated the embryo as a three that was Drew. A three out of five. We knew it was all in God’s hands.”
And God blessed the Marlows with a healthy sandy blond baby boy they named Drew.
“That’s where the jersey number ‘3’ came from. Danny always said ‘could you imagine if he was a five’,” Cyndi said. “He always wanted Drew to wear ‘3’ in his first t-ball game.”
“We were going to go play t-ball,” Cyndi said. “That’s all Drew talked about. “
Drew will never get to play on his field at Bradberry Park. But Cyndi hopes that it will be ready to dedicate on next year’s opening day. “And we are hoping to have a team in the league called ‘Drew’s Dream Team’,” she said.
Additional funding is still needed to make Drew’s Field a reality. If you would like to help build Drew’s Field, donations can be made at any Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties in Florida or at the Atmore, Alabama, branch to the “Drew’s Field” account.
For more information, or to volunteer to help, email jessc@frontiernet.net
To read our story from April about Drew’s Field, click here.
Pictured top: Drew Marlow’s Florida Gator bat on first base at what will become Drew’s Field. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured middle: An artist’s drawing of the memorial to be placed at Drew’s Field. Pictured bottom: Drew Marlow, submitted photo.
Exclusive Interview: Ala. Gov. Bob Riley Talks To NorthEscambia.com About Opening Of Highway 113
November 10, 2008
The ribbon will be cut Wednesday official opening the newly widened Highway 113 from Flomaton to I-65. NorthEscambia.com recently spoke with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley about the joint Alabama-Florida project to provide a better hurricane evacuation route for both states.
“Highway 113 is really going to be an asset to both Alabama and Florida,” Gov. Riley told NorthEscambia.com in an exclusive interview. “There’s the obvious, with the hurricane evacuation route, and there are the potential economic benefits.”
The four lanes on Alabama Highway 113 from Flomaton, Alabama, to I-65 will provide a four lane evacuation route from Highway 29 in Pensacola and North Escambia all the way to the interstate.
The 14 mile widening project broke ground on September 11, 2007. Escambia County, Florida, contributed $4 million to the project. Flomaton and Escambia County, Alabama, each contributed $500,000 with the state of Alabama and the federal government picking up of the rest of the nearly $23 million tab.
“This all started with the request of an Alabama mayor,” Riley said of the project that began with Mayor Dewey Bondurant in Flomaton. “Now people all over the country will point to this project as an example of cooperation between states. Both Alabama and Florida truly worked together to get this done.”
“This is a project have immense benefits to both Alabama and Florida,” Riley told NorthEscambia.com. “I think you will begin to see economic growth in both states as a result of this project.”
The ribbon cutting for Highway 113 will take place Wednesday morning in Flomaton, with Riley and a host of other state and local officials from both Alabama and Florida.
Pictured top: These barrels on Highway 113 at Highway 29 are now gone. Pictured inset: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley just before his exclusive interview with NorthEscambia.com. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.