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By Eddie Adams
Submitted by Joni Jordan
Heartwarming is hardly sufficient to describe the feeling generated by a group of volunteers from Laughlin Air Force Base, who gathered early on Saturday morning, Oct 16, 1999, to help clean up the Black Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery located on Fort Clark.
They came in all shapes, sizes and genders. Some were active-duty military, Department of Defense Civilians, officers and enlisted, boys and girls, men and women, and just plain good-folks willing to lend a hand to clean the cemetery.
They brought their own tools, cleaning materials, paint, and labor. They worked hand-in-hand, or should we say, "rake, shovel, lawnmower, cleaning/paint brush-in hand," side-by-side at the cemetery which is approximately 30 miles east of Laughlin AFB.
This venture was begun as a simple thought that there were people on the base who may be interested in helping with the cemetery. After the call was put out, more than 100 persons responded to an E-mail request to the base population. More than 60 people showed up for the cleanup. Many who wanted to attend were unable because they were involved with an open house air show at the base scheduled for the next day.
There are four Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients buried in this cemetery, and the respect and awe of the military members was openly evident in words and deeds as they cleaned and painted the encasements containing the headstones of these brave heroes.
Members of the Black Seminole Indian Scouts Association were also on hand for the cleanup. The cleanup crew was later treated to a brisket, rib, and pinto bean dinner at the picnic area on historic Fort Clark. The dinner was provided by the Laughlin AFB Black Heritage Committee and the Black Seninole Indian Scouts Association.
The following is a partial list of the volunteers who participated and/or responded to the call. The Black Heritage Committee and the Black Seminole Indian Scouts Association would like to thank all those who participated, even those who desired to help, but were unable to attend:
| Joan Griffith and family Monica Harris Michael McNeil William (Dub) Warrior Ethel (Mama) Warrior Joni (Sister) Jordan Darryl Gates Richard Urban and family Beth Smith Eddie Adams Chom Suk Yi Karl Locina Anthony Russell and family TSgt Warren and family April Ferrero Alfreda Todman Derek Sherrill Patty Bixby Rohanda Atkinson Robin Poteat and family Samantha Norwood Shirley Simon and family | Kenny L.King Cedric Pickett Lori Kipfmiller Vern Putnam Kallisha Metoyer Jennifer Allphin Joe Williams Barry West Rick Wells Carman Suggs Shonilli Gaston Roxanne Cortez Margaret Hepp Tammy Savoie Patricia Fulce Ervin Curtis, III Jessica Savoie Justin Underwood Jesse Gillans, Jr. Douglas Baskin Dwight A. Hardy Clarence Hardy | Matthew McCain Brenda McCain Billy Pierce Marion Pierce Yvonne Best-Sanders Norma Kelly Perry John Freeman Marie Knick James B. Baum Terrence Zelek Chad Church Bladimir Hernandez Roberto Espinoza Meelondrell Shabazz Warren Lee Weyer Larry L. Weyer Warren W. Weyer Ms Barry West Kathie West Shirley Simon w/Kevin & Gienka Alan Mills Roy Meffley |
[BRACKETTVILLE AND FORT CLARK, TEXAS]
[NORTHERN MEXICO AND SOUTHWEST TEXAS]
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