“SOME GAVE ALL”
Oroville Mercury January 11, 1952
Wounds Prove Fatal To Chico Soldier
Pfc. Paul D. McManus,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
D. McManus Route 1, Chico, died as a result of wounds suffered
in the Korean fighting, according to a Department of Defense news
release. Pfc. McManus was listed among 16 California casualties.
“ SOME GAVE ALL”
OMR June 3, 1947
Chicoan Dies In B-29 Crash -
Laurence Bennett,
23 , of Chico was one of the three crew members killed in
a B-29 crash near Fairbanks, Alaska, late Thursday, the Army Air
Force has informed relatives. 1st Lt. Bennett,
pilot and aerial engineer, died when the superfort crashed shortly
after a takeoff at Ladd Field. He is the son of
Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Bennett
of Chico and a graduate of Chico High School.
OMR May 30, 1956
Oroville Joins Nation In Memorial Day Observances Honoring War
Dead
Several hundred persons stood in silence on the Upper Thermalito
bridge across the Feather River this morning while wreaths and garlands
were drooped in the stream in memorial services honoring the area’s
war dead. Led by a color guard from the Veterans of Foreign
Wars encampment, the veterans of this country’s wars of the past
strode onto the span in the uniforms they once wore in the service
of their country. They were followed by representatives of
veteran’s auxiliaries, civic organizations, the Thermalito Drum
and Bugle Corps and children from the Oroville elementary schools
each bearing a small American Flag presented to them by the W. T.
Sherman Woman’s Relief Corps at the start of the parade. (After
this Bridge Ceremony many went to the Cemeteries.)
Stu’s Notes: I recently watched on the Military History
Channel a story that was done a few years ago on what happened after
we lost the courageous fight at Bataan and Corregidor in the
Philippines. The story featured many survivors of that fight.
After Pearl Harbor they fought on against the Japanese for four
more months. Can you imagine that? Four months. Running
out of food, ammunition, yet they fought on, abandoned by their
country. Then they suffered as Prisoner’s of war for three
and a half more years. The few that made it home were soon
forgotten. Well, let’s make them Not Forgotten in Oroville.
For 6 years a small group of about 100 people honor them in Oroville
on POW/MIA Recognition Day. This Day is only four months away.
Come on Oroville we can do better than 100 or so people. In
the words of one of those surviving “Do Not Forget Us.” We,
in Oroville will not. Thank you Joan Lee (Van Campen)
for coming to me 6 years ago, which lead to this annual event in
Oroville.
Monday, The Memorial Day Ceremony at the Oroville Memorial Park
Cemetery on Lincoln Street. Starting at 11AM on May 25, 2009.
Followed by a ceremony on the Old Green Bridge at 1pm the Nelson
Avenue (Thermalito School, my alma mater) Band with Director Bob
Christenson as their leader. The Thermalito Band played at
this event in the 1940’s and 50’s, let’s hope they play on our bridge
long into the future. Last year there were 7 students and
this year 10 or more will be there to play. They did a good
job last year and I really look forward to hearing them this year.
I also thank Greg Kampf, Thermalito School superintendent and the
school board for allowing this to happen. After the Ceremony
there will be a Barbeque lunch at the Veterans Memorial Hall on
Montgomery St. offered by American Legion Post 95. The cost will
be $7 for Adults and $2 for children under 12. Vene Thompson,
is Chairman of this event. Call Joan Lee 589-1058 for more
information.
A small group of people have been researching for 8 years now
and we are still finding Butte County Men that died in the service
of our Country. We need more help in the Chico, Paradise,
and Gridley areas. Call me. Two nights ago I found these
little stories on the Chico men.