Purple Heart

Gov. Steve Beshear applauded the dedication of a bridge over Interstate 64 in Clark County as the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge Friday as a lasting memorial to veterans wounded or killed in combat. “As a veteran, I know the sacrifices our service men and women have made over the years to protect our freedom, especially those who have given their blood and often their lives,” Beshear said. “It is a sacrifice that should never be forgotten, and the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge will serve as a lasting reminder to us all.” The Purple Heart Memorial Bridge is part of the Exit 96 interchange over I-64 at Winchester.

LANCASTER - Some surprised guests were honored during the 11th Annual Veteran's Day Program at Garrard Middle School Friday, and some others shared bittersweet stories of being wounded in battle. Former mayor Billy Moss was given a plaque to award him for his three years of service as a Marine during World War II. Moss fought in the South Pacific, Gilbert Islands, and in The Battle of Iwo Jima after he enlisted in 1943 - the year he graduated high school. "I'm tickled to death," Moss said after the ceremony.

While recuperating at his Hustonville home Tuesday, Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Barry S. Holt got a visit from Maj. Gen. Donald C. Storm and Capt. Todd M. Lidner, who were there to present him with the Purple Heart, a medal awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded in combat. Election Day in Iraq is one day he will never forget. Holt and his squad were returning to base after helping with the detonation of an explosive device. Holt was driving, his vehicle leading the convoy.

George Tolbert Reynolds, 84, of Haggin Lane, died Sunday, Oct. 17. He was a lifelong farmer, a veteran of World War II, receiving a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. He was the son of the late George and Nettie Long Reynolds. Survivors include a brother, Richard Price and wife Ann Reynolds; numerous nieces; nephews; other family members and special friends. He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister. Services were at 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at his family cemetery located at 1030 Haggin Lane.

Last year, Mr. Ken Sims mentioned to his friend John Dean, pastor of the Locust Grove Baptist Church, that he had been wounded in the Korean War but had never received his Purple Heart. Rev. Dean decided that he would do some checking and found out that Mr. Sims' military records indicated that he had indeed been wounded but had never been decorated. So the reverend contacted Congressman Ben Chandler, who, on Friday morning, presented Mr. Sims with his Purple Heart "56 years, five months and seven days" late.

Allen Burnside, 90, of Lancaster Street, Stanford, died Saturday Feb. 2 at the Golden LivingCenter in Stanford. A native of Lincoln County, he was born Oct. 26, 1917 to the late Mike and Viola Kincaid Burnside. He was a retired television and radio repairman, a World War II Army veteran having served under General George Patton, a Purple Heart recipient, and a member of the VFW and the Stanford Christian Church. Survivors include a sister, Verna Ray of Lancaster; and several nieces and nephews.

Chester Matthew Young, 61, of Hustonville, died Wednesday, Feb. 11. He was born April 2, 1947, to the late James Matthew and Virginia Jones Young.Chester Matthew Young, 61, of Hustonville, died Wednesday, Feb. 11. He was born April 2, 1947, to the late James Matthew and Virginia Jones Young. He taught in Lincoln County, worked for Gale Watson Gate Co., and was a Vietnam veteran having received a Purple Heart and two bronze stars, one for valor. Survivors include children, Katherine Kays, James Matthew Young and Megan Holtzclaw; brothers, Henry Tarlton Young and Jerry Matthew Young; sisters, Dora Catherine Ramsey and Linda Francis Dana; and seven grandchildren.

Floyd Kirtley Hayes, 66, husband of Susan Ragland Hayes, died Aug. 3. He served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines, where he received a Purple Heart, Medal of Valor and was a former member of the Louisville Police Department. He was the son of the late Floyd E. Hayes and Virginia Upthergrove Hayes. Additional survivors include two sons, Dallas and Jason Hayes; two daughters, Stephanie O'Leary and Deanna Crome; nine grandchildren; five sisters; three nephews; and three cousins.

Francis Marion (Frank) Bennett, III, 83, died Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Richmond Place Rehabilitation Center.  A native of Baltimore, Md.,  Frank was a son of the late John C.F. and Foster Taliaferro Bennett. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division and was awarded the Purple Heart. Frank started his career with Commercial Solvents in Horse Cave and was president and CEO of Southern Explosives Corporation.  Survivors include his wife, Sue Barbara Gaines Bennett; a daughter, Kay Foster Bennett (Behnam)

Harris T. Tudor, 88, husband of Ila Marie Moberley Tudor, passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, in Lexington. Born in Madison County, he was the son of the late Harris Tudor Sr. and Myrtle Callico Tudor. Harris served our country during World War II, was a recipient of a Purple Heart, and was a member of the Marine Raiders Special Forces. He is a member of Old Paris Road Church of God. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Marie Shelbourne. Surviving other than his wife is his son, Chauncey Tudor and wife Olivia of Nicholasville; seven grandchildren, Cody, Colton, Brody and Beau Tudor of Nicholasville, Stacy Parnell of Thompkinsville, and Tommy Shelbourne and Renee Edwards of Sarasota, Fla.; and six great-grandchildren.

Francis Marion (Frank) Bennett, III, 83, died Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Richmond Place Rehabilitation Center.  A native of Baltimore, Md.,  Frank was a son of the late John C.F. and Foster Taliaferro Bennett. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division and was awarded the Purple Heart. Frank started his career with Commercial Solvents in Horse Cave and was president and CEO of Southern Explosives Corporation.  Survivors include his wife, Sue Barbara Gaines Bennett; a daughter, Kay Foster Bennett (Behnam)

Claude E. Shearer, 88, father of Sandra and Larry  and wife Rhonda Shearer, died Dec. 5 in Laurel Manor Nursing Home in New Tazewell, Tenn., after an extended illness. He was a native of Lancaster, born July 10, 1924, to the late Claude and Mary Ann Clark Shearer. He was the former owner of Modern Electric Service in Winchester and was a World War II veteran of the 9th U.S. Army Air Corps, flying 42 bombing missions over Germany and Europe in B-17s, including D-Day, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Claude E. Shearer, 88, father of Sandra and Larry (Rhonda) Shearer, died Dec. 5, in Laurel Manor Nursing Home in New Tazewell, Tenn., after an extended illness. He was a native of Lancaster, and born July 10, 1924, to the late Claude and Mary Ann Clark Shearer. He was the former owner of Modern Electric Service in Winchester and was a World War II veteran of the 9th U S Army Air Corps, flying 42 bombing missions over Germany and Europe in B-17s, including D-Day, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Gov. Steve Beshear applauded the dedication of a bridge over Interstate 64 in Clark County as the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge Friday as a lasting memorial to veterans wounded or killed in combat. “As a veteran, I know the sacrifices our service men and women have made over the years to protect our freedom, especially those who have given their blood and often their lives,” Beshear said. “It is a sacrifice that should never be forgotten, and the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge will serve as a lasting reminder to us all.” The Purple Heart Memorial Bridge is part of the Exit 96 interchange over I-64 at Winchester.

Jimmy Ray “JR” Banks died Saturday at his home. He was married to Vera for 36 years, father to Jason and wife Allison and Joshua and wife Meghan, and grandfather to Jacob, JennaRae, Sophia and Jackson. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Vietnam as a combat medic. He received several medals including the Purple Heart. JR was a native of Letcher County and loved hunting and fishing with his sons and friends. Additional survivors are a sister, Aliene Miracle and husband Robert; eight brothers, Harold, Carlos, Verlon, Ricky, Danny, Earl, Melvin and Dickie Banks; sister-in-law Penny Freedman; mother-in-law Margaret Brown; and many other extended family members.

Floyd Kirtley Hayes, 66, husband of Susan Ragland Hayes, died Aug. 3. He served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines, where he received a Purple Heart, Medal of Valor and was a former member of the Louisville Police Department. He was the son of the late Floyd E. Hayes and Virginia Upthergrove Hayes. Additional survivors include two sons, Dallas and Jason Hayes; two daughters, Stephanie O'Leary and Deanna Crome; nine grandchildren; five sisters; three nephews; and three cousins.

Joseph Carr McMurtry, 89, died Thursday, April 26, at his home. He was the widower of Lorraine McMurtry, who died in 2006, and native of Jessamine County born May 13, 1922, to the late John Fulton and Alice Reynolds McMurtry. Joe was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church, a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during World War II and was in the first wave at Okinawa during which he was wounded, resulting in his receiving two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.

Dr. George W. Pope, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, 91, died Nov. 23. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Nancy Herrington Pope; two daughters, Gracia and husband Tom O'Brien, and Lindsay Walker; four grandchildren, Erin and Alexa O'Brien, and Andrea and Matthew George Walker; and a very special extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, two sisters and a son-in-law. He volunteered for the army the day after Pearl Harbor with a military career spanning 39 years.