BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Guest speaker at American Legion Post 56’s Memorial Day ceremony in Starke, retired Army Maj. John Crews, noted it might be the last ceremony held at the park on East Call Street, but if many of the veterans present have their way, it won’t be.
Concern was expressed that four of five city commissioners have passed a resolution to move Charles J. Schaefer Sr. Veterans Memorial Park to Edwards Road
The city hasn’t vocalized the reason for the move other than noting in its resolution that the changing traffic pattern caused by the railroad overpass diminishes and disrupts the ability to reflect on veterans’ sacrifices. The adjacent parcel, however, is owned by a private developer and is zoned for multifamily residential development.
The commission selected a parcel on Edwards Road across from the ballpark to relocate and expand the memorial. Conflicts following the Vietnam War are not represented.
While Crews reflected on the history of Memorial Day, he also talked about the history of the park. The American Legion purchased the property with donations in the 1970s for the purposes of establishing a park. It was donated to the city in 1982 for the express purpose of building a memorial, construction of which began the following year. The park was dedicated in 1985 and again on Veterans Day in 2003 following the naming of the park in Shaefer’s memory. Shaefer, a Navy veteran who
helped establish the park, passed away in 2000. In addition to his work with local veterans’ organizations, he served as a city commissioner and mayor.
Crews said the Memorial Day ceremony could be the last held at park. The city commission has instructed their manager to complete the move to Edwards Road by Veterans Day.
Following Crews’ remarks and the benediction, the audience was invited to comment, and Pastor Kevin Baker took the opportunity. He said he’s asked the city commission not to push aside veterans, including himself, the way like
Vietnam War veterans were treated when they returned home.
Baker said the park and the respect for veterans it represents are a source of price located at one of the city’s gateways. The park will not be enjoyed tucked away on Edwards Road, and the monuments will be subjected to vandalism.
He said people need to call their commissioners and attend the upcoming commission meeting to make their voices heard. Baker insisted citizens should get to vote on whether the veterans memorial park is moved.
“Let’s not go down without a fight We fought for our nation, let’s fight for our park,” he said to a round of applause.
Not everyone was pleased, however. Al Hunter, a founder of the Starke Veterans Advisory Committee, was appalled that a ceremony in memory of fallen service members had been politicized. Hunter, who supports moving the park to a quieter location, said those responsible should issue an apology.
During his reflections, Crews read the names of the individuals who are listed on the monument.
World War I
Herman Crosby, Eurie Douglas, Lanier Droke, Robert H. Green, Nick Johns, Willie J. Jones, Neal Langford, Ervin Minton, Ira McKinney and Richard R. White.
World War II
James C. Addison, Seeger Crawford, Jasper E. Duncan, Joseph E. English, Francis M. Hanby, Roy Kite, George W. Mann Jr., Robert A. Rabeck, Harvey J. Ross Jr., Elmo R. Struth, Ralph E. Thomas, Joseph A. Conway, Ernest Desue, Walter G. Dymond, Earl B. Futch, Frederick D. Hinton, Johnnie Jenkins, Johnnie E. Lott, Charles M. Priest, Andrew J. Redding, Leo F. Starting, Jack E. Sullivan and Willey W. Tillis.
Korea
John D. Hicks, Emmitt Robinson and Tommy V. Hicks.
Vietnam
James G. Blackshire, Arthur Broxton Jr., Arthur B. Clark, Charles R. Crews, Larry B. Jenkins, Lawrence R. Kimbler, Robert M. Nail, Ronald E. Newman, James P. Smith, Robert E. Terrell, Leon B. Truest and Johnny L. Proctor.
Crews is the JROTC instructor at Bradford Middle School and Bradford High School. His 21 years of military service include time with the Army, National Guard and Reserves. In his time, his assignments include combat engineer, military intelligence and counterintelligence. He deployed six times to combat as a soldier and once as a military intelligence contractor. He held multiple position in the United States, Germany, Korea and the Middle East. His awards include two Bronze Medals for Service and two Meritorious Service Medals among multiple others.
Crews serves as junior vice commander of the VFW Post 10082 in Lake Butler and Adjutant of American Legion Post 56 in Starke.
The ceremony included the participation of JROTC cadets, Sheriff’s Explorers and Scouts, as well as Post 56’s commander, Norman Dowdy, vice commander, Raymond Hunt, sergeant at arms, Artis Rix, and chaplain, Hank Williams. Handmade wreaths by the Jackson family and donated by the Downtown Merchants were placed at the memorial. County Commissioner Carolyn Spooner spoke and offered a wreath on behalf of the county commission. Other wreaths represented the American Legion, VFW, Boy Scout Troop 70, Daughters of the American Revolution, Downtown Merchants Association, North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce, Starke City Clerk Jimmy Crosby, city of Starke, Woman’s Club of Starke, Bradford County and Tourist Development Council.
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