Published: November 14, 2006 03:11 pm      

103rd Infantry gets memorialized by monument

Soldiers in this country, many say, get too little honor for the job they do.

Finally, the 103rd Infantry Division and the support units have been recognized, thanked and memorialized for the future generations to better understand the sacrifices they made.

The 103rd is one of the units trained at Camp Howse prior to disembarking for combat zones in Europe.

The other two units, the 84th and the 86th declined participation in raising a monument here in Gainesville.

The figure, “Call to Duty” was sculpted and cast by Edd Hayes, the official sculptor of Texas.

The dedication of the statue was set to begin at 3 p.m. Veterans Day.

The day, many said was perfect. The sun was bright, billowy clouds scuttled across the sky and a gentle breeze was blowing when the designated time arrived.

The Fort Sill Brass quintet serenaded the close-to-1,000 visitors with various martial airs.

By far, the largest number of visitors were veterans attending the 103rd Inf. Div. Association of World War II annual reunion in Dallas, transported by bus to this event and then to the city fireworks and VFW dinner afterwards.

Tom Carson, KGBF-AM radio was the Master of Ceremonies. His mellifluous voice resonated around the TxDOT Travel Information Center grounds as he recounted stories of the men of the 103rd with whom he was acquainted.

The 103rd Chaplain, Walter Modrzejewski, invoked the blessing of God on this dedication and the soldiers, past and present, defending this country’s freedoms.

The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets posted the colors. Following the placing of the U.S. flag, the Fort Sill brass began playing the National Anthem concluding with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lejeune “Rabbit” Wilson spoke to his comrades of the 103rd telling them again of the efforts expended to get the statue plans off the ground.

He noted finally things began to fall together and the plans began to gel.

The 103rd raised the money, hired the sculpture, approved the drawings and models and, at last, got approval to place the statue near the 1940 limits of Camp Howse.

In addition, there were guest speakers, including the Texas State Land Commissioner, Jerry Patterson, the TxDOT Commissioner Ric Williamson, Texas State Veterans Commissioner Charlie Buerschinger and Rep Michael Burgess.

Finally, the sculptor Edd Hayes pulled the rope and the veil hiding the statue from the eyes of the public, fell away, revealing the statue for all to see.

The VFW Post No. 1922 provided men to fire a salute, taps were played and the event, more than 60 years in the making, was over.