Eagleville Times

Information may not be reliable

Veterans Day, an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans, is observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that the President, Calvin Coolidge this time, issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’."
In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner named Alfred King had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I. King had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into "All" Veterans Day. The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported closing their doors on November 11 to honor veterans. With the help of then-U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954.
Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
This year, Eagleville Times would like to highlight Herman G. Cunningham, who joins the ranks of other local veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces from the Eagleville Community.
Herman G. Cunningham, Company "M" 117th Infantry, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, London, Paris, Great Brittain, France, Italy, Belgium. Trained at Camp Sevier, SC, September 11, 1917. Arrived at Liverpool, England on May 23rd, 1918. Went to Calais, France and was attached to British 3rd Army Corps. Fought at Kemmell Hill, near Ypres, in Belgium until September 1918. From there, went to Somme front, Hinderburg line, and fought in the Battle of Bellcourt and other important battles on this line. On October 7th, 1918, this company, with a fighting strength of 77 men attached 400 Germans who were strongly entrenched in a railroad cut, a sunken road, and occupied a steep hill. 114 of the enemy were killed, 23 were found wounded on the field and 263 were captured; 42 machine guns were captured, 4 trench mortars, 2 "whizz bangs", and a large amount of equipment. During the engagement, all of the officers became casualties and the Company was reduced to 34 men. On October 9th, the Company captured Blockstelle Woods and the towns of Becquieny and Busigny, the latter being the largest town captured by the Division. Arrived at Charleston, SC, on April 2, 1919. Paraded in Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga. Demobilized at Fort Oglethorpe, GA, April 16, 1920.

Echo’s of Thunder Thoroughbreds at Magnolia Valley has opened a new thoroughbred center catering to the horseracing industry.
Owned by Keith and Bunnie Damron the farm has more to offer than just horses. The farm can cater to special events such as weddings, birthday parties and company meetings. The thoroughbreds standing at the farm are from some of the top bloodlines in the thoroughbred industry. Fwhyeye, the farms anchor stallion, was sired by Unbridled’s Song. Fwhyeye was thought to be one of the contenders for the 2008 Triple Crown, but was injured after his first race, and retired from racing.
We offer breeding, sales prep, training and boarding. Boarders are welcomed at the farm at anytime and visitors are welcomed from 3 to 5 on Friday and 9 to 5 on Saturday.