Our Town column

By CHERIL VERNON

PALESTINE — Palestine resident Mae Jordan never knew that the program she presented for the Palestine Guion Music Club would lead to a special presentation to city officials in Rockwall, but that’s what happened.

Jordan presented a program on “America’s Pride in Patriotism” during the Palestine Guion Music Club meeting last spring. She mentioned that her husband, Dr. Curtis Jordan, had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the ship USS Rockwall, named for smallest county in Texas and where their daughter Ruth now lives.

Judy Eckert of Rockwall was often at the club meetings as a guest of her mother, the late Evelyn Jordan. Eckert was at this particular meeting and was surprised to learn about the ship. She was eager to return home and share the story with her husband Pete Eckert who is current city attorney for the city of Rockwall. He and other city and county leaders had not heard about the ship and researched its story.

Dr. and Mrs. Jordan, along with daughter Ruth’s family were present at a recent Rockwall City Council meeting. As a member of the ship’s crew, Dr. Jordan was recognized and spoke briefly about his military service aboard the ship. A print of the USS Rockwall transport ship was presented to Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil, Rockwall City Manager Julie Couch, Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe and Heath City Manager Ed Thather. Former city council member John Cotti and Eckert made the presentation. The print will primarily hang in the Rockwall City Hall, but Eckert said it may be displayed in other cities in the county since the ship represented all of Rockwall County.

“I did enjoy my time on the ship,” Dr. Jordan recalled.

He told the audience about an incident in which a man’s life was saved after he fell overboard.

“I was on the third deck peeling an orange, and someone yelled ‘man overboard!’ I looked out and could see him. Someone threw him a lifeline, but it didn’t reach him,” Dr. Jordan said. “We turned around in circles because the ship couldn’t stop. We were 40 miles from Truk Island, and they had 50,000 Japanese on the island, and there were lots of submarines nearby. I went to where they were lowering a life boat, and there was one corpsman who wouldn’t jump over to the lifeboard, so I jumped from the upper deck into the lifeboat and almost went through the bottom.

“It was dark, and the waves were about five feet high, and we couldn’t see anything,” Dr. Jordan continued. “the ship could not put its lights on, but we finally found him because our radio man had made contact with the ship, and we finally got back to the ship.”

The overboard man was injured and couldn’t climb the rope ladder, despite the captain’s orders, so Dr. Jordan requested a stretcher.

“We got the stretcher and finally got him on board ship. He was very lucky to be out of the ocean, and I was fortunate because he had three broken bones in his pelvis. He had hit a toilet drain when he fell, and he couldn’t have climbed the rope ladder,” Dr. Jordan added.

Bailey makes Eagle Scout

Fifteen-year-old Ben Bailey, the grandson of Ann Lynn and Thomas W. Bailey of Palestine, was awarded his Eagle Scout rank at a special Court of Honor April 25 at First Presbyterian Church in Grapevine. Ben, the son of Lorinda and Clint Bailey, is a freshman at Grapevine High School and is a member of Boy Scout Troop 928 in Southlake.

For his Eagle Scout project, Ben led members of his troop in creating an outdoor learning center at Grapevine Middle School. He joined BSA as a Tiger Cub while a first grader. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in May 2007, and currently serves as Junior Assistant Scout Master for Troop 928. He completed Twin Arrows Leadership Training in July and will attend the National Scout Jamboree in 2010 at Camp A.P. Hill near Washington, D.C.

Breeden celebrates 80th birthday

Friends and family of longtime Palestine resident Al Breeden celebrated a surprise birthday party Sept. 12 at Don Jose Restaurant followed by gifts and cake at Breeden’s home.

Family members attending included three daughters, three sons-in-law, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Breeden was born Sept. 14, 1929 in Dry Ridge, Ky. After moving to Texas, he and his late wife Vicky owned several businesses together in the area. Breeden has been self-employed most of his life and involved with several associations in Palestine.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Breeden.

Partridge donates to Locks of Love

Brittnie Partridge, 16, a sophomore at Westwood High School recently cut 13 inches of her hair to send to the Locks of Love. She is the daughter of John and Cassie Perry of Palestine.

Locks of Love accepts donations of hair to make wigs for those who have lost their own hair due to illnesses; most of the donated hair goes to make wigs for children. 

“Brittnie has a big heart and this is truly an act from the heart and out of love,” her mother said. “We are very proud of her. We always knew she had a heart of gold, but now everyone else will.”

Terry reunion to start today

The Lewis and Alberta Terry family of Spring will celebrate its 21st year family reunion Saturday and Sunday. Beginning around 6 p.m. today, a fish fry will kick off the reunion. On Saturday, the reunion begins at noon.

Family and friends are invited to come and take part in this annual reunion. The event will be held at the Lewis and Alberta Terry estate in Massey Lake.

For more information call 903-539-0211 or 903-538-2911.

Miles family reunion slated

The 56th annual Miles family reunion will be held Oct. 11 at Fort Parker State Park, located between Mexia and Groesbeck.

Descendants of Willie Miles and Ella Lightfoot Miles are invited.

Lunch will start at noon. Bring food for your family and extra.

For information, call Judy Lamb-McGaha at 512-947-6580 or Janice Lamb-Bradshaw 214-738-3127. Information also can be obtained by sending an email to janicelamb-bradshaw@hotmail.com

“If you knew Willie Miles or Ella Lightfoot Miles, please contact us at the above phone numbers or email. We would love to talk to you,” a family news release said.