Black Stealth fighters sliced through gray clouds Sunday afternoon,
opening a day of tribute to 727 of our county's fallen heroes.
"We come here as pilgrims on a day of homage," former
Secretary of the Army John Marsh told the crowd gathered at War
Memorial Park in Halifax.
Climaxing the ceremony was the unveiling of the black granite
monument bearing the names of those who have died in our nation's
wars.
"Only mankind has a sense of history, a contribution from
the Divine that makes us unique..." said Marsh.
Generals, soldiers, veterans, political dignitaries and county
residents packed War Memorial Park to honor those men.
D-Day veterans who stormed the beaches at Normandy in WWII were
given the honor of unveiling the monument, a project seven years
in the making.
Two groups of people were singled out for recognition by Marsh,
the D-Day Veterans and also the mother of Col. William Watkins
who was killed in action in Iraq last month.
"Time and events have brought us here to pay tribute to the
past and honor those whose sacrifices have benefited us,"
said Marsh.
He quoted the prophet Isaiah:
"Who will go for us?
"Whom shall I send.
"And the youth responds,
"Here, am I.
Send me."
Eight generations of Halifax County residents answered that call
of public service, observed Marsh.
The former Secretary of the Army suggested that the War Memorial
could be a learning experience for generations to come.
It was a theme Nancy Lee Bagwell, former president of the Halifax
Woman's Club, also cited.
"Each time we pass or walk by this special place, we will
remember," she said.
"We will remember the ultimate sacrifice of our families
and loved ones. When we bring our children and sit and visit with
them, we will remember.
"And we will teach them to remember and we will tell them
about this wonderful place in which we live, this small, this
strong and incredibly gentle and determined place. A place totally
committed to make this day happen."
Marsh addressed the change in warfare post September 11, 2001.
He warned that terrorists "are seeking a paralysis of fear
in America," but he said they would not win.
"We must never forget, at our peril, the importance that
this country maintain its lead in technology. It is absolutely
essential for our country's survival," he added.
Marsh told the crowd that when he first saw the monument he was
struck by its beauty ...
War Memorial Commission Chairman Larry Clark agreed.
"What I hope is this will be a place where all the people
of Halifax County will be comfortable and visit and reflect on
the sacrifices of those persons listed on the Memorial.
"I am proud of the War Commission and the work that was done
over a period of time stretching from Veterans Day 1997 to Memorial
Day, 2003."
Both Clark and Bagwell praised the hours of toil necessary to
erect the monument to Halifax County's fallen heroes.
The Halifax Woman's Club and the War Memorial Commission raised
over $400,000 for the property and the memorial.
In the wake of the Halifax County School Board's decision to
close Virgilina Elementary School (VES), one attorney is calling
for the ousting of Superintendent Dennis Witt and members of the
School Board.
South Boston attorney Bill Greer contends they violated the First
Amendment of the Constitution.
In a controversial 5 to 3 vote last Monday, the Halifax County
School Board voted to close VES.
"Can there be any doubt that Superintendent Witt and Board
Chairman (Patricia) Nelson must be relieved of their positions
for violating the constitutional rights of a majority of the people?"
said Greer.
"Democracy flew out the window when (the School Board) voted
to close VES. It died Monday night," he charged.
Greer contends in a letter written to the Gazette-Virginian that
the decision was made prior to the meeting.
"When you close a school, you blight a community, and Virgilina
will die because of this," he said Friday.
The attorney is challenging the School Board's plans for consolidating
several elementary schools across the county and seek a $50 million
capital improvement plan.
"After two public hearings in Halifax and South Boston, where
the residents overwhelmingly opposed the consolidation of the
elementary schools, the School Board announced on May 1 they had
backed off their request for a referendum," the attorney
observed.
"The School Board also backed off the abandonment of the
Halifax and South Boston elementary schools."
He pointed out that after public outcry, the School Board decided
against seeking the bond referendum.
He also took issue with the School Board's refusal to allow more
than one citizen to speak in defense of VES.
"By what authority does Superintendent Witt and Chairman
Nelson rule that citizens may not be heard at a School Board meeting
for the purpose of closing one of our schools?" Greer asked.
"By what authority does Chairman Nelson rule that the Mayor
of Virgilina has only one minute to speak to the School Board?"
he continued. "This is not what the Founding Fathers intended
when they enacted the First Amendment of the Constitution."
The attorney accuses Witt and Nelson of disregarding "the
freedom of speech and the right of people to peacefully assemble
and petition the government for a redress of grievances"
in violation of the First Amendment.
"The decision was made behind closed doors before the meeting
ever started," he charged. "This was deceitful, corrupt
and unlawful.
"A majority of the citizens of this county still rule their
elected officials," Greer said. "And if they are incompetent
and/or deceitful, we can fire the ones who are hired and we can
recall those who ignore the majority.
"Under these circumstances, the people of Halifax County
have a duty to throw the rascals out under the Constitution of
Virginia," he added.
The attorney cited Article I of the Bill of Rights of the Virginia
Constitution:
"Government instituted for common benefits-- That government
is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection,
and security of the people, nation, or community; of all the various
modes and forms of government, that is best which is capable of
producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is
most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration;
"Whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary
to these purposes, a majority of the community hath and indubitable,
inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish
it, in such a manner as shall be judged most conducive to the
public weal."
Greer is joined by spokesman Donna Hudson, the only person allowed
to speak in favor of VES before the School Board voted to close
the school on May 19.
In a letter responding to statements made by School Board members
in the Gazette-Virginian, Hudson charges the School Board with
acting in violation of the wishes of their constituents.
In a letter to the G-V responding to a statement made by School
Board member Glenn Ratliff, Hudson claimed the board chose to
ignore the validity, or outright lied, about the 124 students
they presented for the 2003-2004 school year.
"You did not simply apply policy when you questioned the
sincerity or the validity or whether or not someone is going to
materialize," Hudson wrote. "You made judgement calls
that indicated that people were lying about their 'intents'.
"These people signed the intent forms," she continued.
"Will the people who were refused (not accepted as valid)
receive a letter of refusal?"
She pointed out that all families of new applicants who currently
live in Mecklenburg County were required to pay an up-front deposit
of $200 per child.
"They were asked for this deposit on May 9, and it was due
by May 16," Hudson said.
"All families of potential new students came to the school
and filled out 'intent forms'," she added. "There were
actually 24 forms turned in. they were the first of their kind,
done as a courtesy to the school board to enable adults with children
to indicate in April/May 2003 that they intended for their children
to attend VES in the fall of 2003.
"Go ahead and send them a letter," Hudson added. "Only
make sure each letter is signed by each of the individual School
Board members who thinks they are 'nebulous' and aren't goint
to 'actually materialize.'
"I expect you'll see each of these 'nebulous' people stand
up to be counted in the zone they intended to attend," she
said. "Oh, and don't forget to refund the 'nebulous' people
their $200 per-child deposit."
"There are not enough concrete names here to reach the 120
(the number of students the school board said in early 2002 that
would be required to keep the school open) goal in my mind,"
School Board member Steve Anderson said in the May 21 G-V article.
Hudson said the community went to last Monday's meeting with 124
valid students signed up for next year.
She claims that the 124 represented the total received for the
existing 101 enrolled students added with forms for new students.
Of the 20 nonresident out-of-county enrollment applications to
be considered, seven are currently enrolled and attending VES,
according to Hudson.
· One of those seven is a student whose parent works
at the school.
· Two are out-of-state students who live within three
miles of the school.
· Four are commuters from Mecklenburg County.
Hudson said the Virgilina contingent brought in 13 new student
intent forms.
· Seven of those 13 involved students whose families
plan to move into the district.
· Two of those have parents who work in the VES district.
· Four are new students from Mecklenburg.
Of the other 20 out-of-zone enrollment applications presented
to the School Board, Hudson said:
· Eight of those already attend VES.
· Six involve families who live closer to VES than
to any other elementary school.
· Three are moving into the district over the summer.
· One belongs to a current VES employee, and
· Two have a baby-sitter living in the district.
Superintendent Witt was unable to be reached for comment late
yesterday.
Assistant Superintendent Larry Clark said Witt was out of town
for the holiday.
One of the biggest crowds in several years enjoyed stew, barbeque,
fellowship and a day's worth of entertainment Saturday at the
Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department's annual Summerfest.
"I don't have a crowd estimate, but it was one of the biggest
crowds we've had in the past several years," said Waverly
Morris of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, who estimated
from $12,000 to $13,000 was raised.
"A great turnout, and everything kept on schedule. The weather
gave us a break, and it stayed dry following a sprinkle of rain
at the end of the parade."
The traditional parade kicked off the festivities at 11 a.m.,
and it included everything from vintage cars, horseback riders,
fire trucks and, of course floats.
"There were probably as many floats as we've ever had, even
the Virgilina Post Office had one this year," said Morris.
Entertainment ranging from jazz (South Boston Jazz Band) to dance
(Tabitha & Eric Martin and Special Friend) to the end-of-Summerfest
street dance (Tony T & the Midnight Movers) kept Summerfest
moving well into the evening.
Morris noted Summerfest is looked upon as a kind of homecoming
by many residents.
"People come from all over to enjoy the stew and barbeque,
and see old friends before going home to cook out."
Parade winners included Daisy Girl Scout Troop 1071, first-place
float and Saponi Indians, second-place float.
The best appearing car was a 1965 Mustang Fastback, belonging
to Roger and Linda Chandler, while the best appearing truck was
a Chevrolet Silver Fire S-10 belonging to Bradley Griffin.
A fire truck from the Creedmoor Fire Department was judged to
be the best appearing fire truck, while a fire truck from Brassfield
Fire Department was judged to have travelled the longest distance
to get to the parade.
Kay Comer was the big winner of the $250 cash raffle, while D.W.
Bowen won $100 and Chris Bowen $50.
Tuny Rice won the raffle for a quilt made by Florence Buchanan,
in memory of her mother, Alice Gravitt.
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar,
advertised as the world's largest casual dining concept, has announced
that it will build a restaurant in South Boston on the same site
where a new Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse is being developed.
Construction is expected to begin in August in order to meet a
January 2004 opening according to Steve Canada of Applebee's real
estate division.
Applebee's operates over 1,500 in all 49 states and nine international
countries and, for each of the past 10 years, has opened more
than 100 new restaurants.
The nearest Applebee's is in Danville while others are under construction
in the process of being developed in nearby Farmville, Bedford
and Rocky Mount.
Finding just the right site is difficult according to Canada who
studies area demographics such as population, income and traffic
counts.
Two locations, one on U.S. 58 in Riverdale, and the Old Halifax
Road site were under consideration in South Boston. Canada said
that he was drawn to the latter, in part, because of its proximity
to the new Lowe's, Walmart and Halifax County High School.
"We like South Boston and the make up of the community,"
Canada said.
The new restaurant will employ approximately 75 full and parttime
persons and represents a $1.8 million investment.
Applebee's has agreed to purchase a 1.3 acre out parcel that faces
the highway and will be near the main entrance of the development.
Applebee's was founded in Atlanta, Ga., in 1980 by Bill and T.J.
Palmer and has developed into a full-fledged franchise system.
The Applebee's system is approximately 76 percent franchised and
24 percent company-owned.
The South Boston restaurant will be company-owned and will have
a seating capacity of 164 persons.
It is the ninth largest restaurant chain in U.S. system-wide sales.
In 2002, Applebee's posted total system sales in excess of $3
billion.
The decor of each Applebee's restaurant reflects its local neighborhood
by displaying photographs and memorabilia highlighting hometown
heroes and history, area schools and local police and fire departments.
Applebee's offers a full-service lunch and dinner menu and signature
items include Applebee's Riblets, Oriental Chicken Salad, the
House Sirloin and Fiesta Lime Chicken.
J.T. South Boston LLC, is the developer of the 33-acre site that
was purchased for $1.6 million from Lucy Hodges Fuller, W. Allen
Fuller, Hugh Garland Edmunds, Jr. and William Holt Edmunds.
Excavation and site work on the estimated $20 million project
began in March. Lowe's is targeted to open in October.
The new Lowe's store will have 110,122 sq. ft. plus a 27,720 sq.
ft. garden center and offer shoppers over 40,000 products. An
estimated 175 persons will be employed at the new Lowe's Home
Improvement Warehouse.
Lowe's will close its present 22,000 sq.ft. store located at 3455
Old Halifax Road.
Leasing and pad agent for the project, Christine Hudson, said
last week that negotiations were underway with a "good mix"
of softgoods and fashion companies wanting to come into the South
Boston retail community.
Hudson said that she was also discussing lease space with a New
York chef who does a Mediterranean cuisine with his own original
pizza recipe.
By Doug Ford
Halifax County High School's varsity softball team would rather
have gone to the Northwest Regional Tournament in a different
fashion, but they are going none-the-less, as the Western Valley
District Tournament runners-up.
The Comets, who fell to GW 2-0 Saturday in the WVD finals, enters
the Northwest Regionals as a number two seed, and will play Culpepper
High School tomorrow at 5 p.m.
The contest will be at Culpepper High School or Albemarle High
School depending on field conditions.
The Comets fell victim to a sharp pitching performance by GW's
Kristin Farr in the 2-0 loss that gave the Eagles the Western
Valley District Tournament Championship and the district's top
seed for the Northwest Regionals.
Halifax had reached the finals with a 2-0 shutout win over Franklin
County earlier in the day.
That was the bittersweet news coming out of Danville, but the
Comets did accomplish one of their goals, according to Coach Allen
Lawter.
"We would have loved to win this ball game, but we did accomplish
one goal, we made it to the regionals," said Lawter.
"We didn't accomplish both of them, but we're still playing."
As it was the last two meetings between Halifax and GW, Saturday's
Western Valley District title game was tightly contested, with
the Comets' Kristi Myer and GW's Kristin Farr battling on even
terms the first three innings.
Myer got out of a jam in the bottom of the first to keep the game
scoreless.
After walking the first two GW batters, Myer recorded two big
strikeouts before walking her third batter of the inning.
First baseman Mallory Lawter recorded an unassisted putout on
a grounder to end the threat.
Halifax responded in the top of the second with its best scoring
opportunity of the game, but it was Farr's turn to turn away a
scoring threat.
Leadoff hitter Nikki Fountain beat out a single to short right
field and stole second with Kim Ford at the plate.
Ford advanced Fountain to third with a grounder to the right side,
but Farr got two consecutive strikeouts to get out of the inning.
A Comets throwing error put GW's leadoff hitter on base in the
next inning, and a flyout and groundout put a runner at second
with two outs.
Another walk put runners at first and second, but Myer got another
big strikeout to get out of the inning.
Halifax went down in order the top of the third, before Myer and
catcher Jamie Anderson squelched another GW threat in the bottom
of the inning.
Myer got two quick strikeouts to start the inning, but the third
batter drew a walk and stole second, before
Anderson caught a pop foul against the backstop for the third
out.
The pivotal fourth inning saw the Comets again put two runners
on but come up empty before GW broke through in the bottom half
of the inning for a 1-0 lead.
With two out in the Comets fourth, Fountain drew a walk, and Ford
followed with a hard shot up the middle that was mishandled to
put runners at first and second.
A flyout got GW out of the jam, and the Eagles promptly responded
by taking the lead in their turn at bat.
Myer gave up a single and a walk to put GW runners at first and
second with no outs, but a good throw to third got the lead runner
after an attempted sacrifice.
With runners at first and second, Keisha Venable laced a single
to center field, the run scoring on a late relay to the infield.
Myer walked the next batter before Beth Throckmorton relieved,
and Throckmorton got the next batter on a popup for the second
out.
Ford tracked down a fly ball in left field for the third out of
the inning.
Farr retired the Comets in order the fifth, sixth and seventh
innings, but the Comets' defense kept GW off the scoreboard until
the sixth.
Comets third baseman Erica Elliott made a twisting grab of a foul
ball against the fence to help hold off GW in the fifth, but the
Eagles added a run in the sixth for the final tally of the game.
Elliott snared a hot line drive for the first out of the inning,
before Venable drew a walk.
Anderson nailed Venable attempting to steal second, and the Comets
appeared to be out of the inning, but the next GW batter hit a
single to short right field and stole second before another coming
home on another hit to make it 2-0.
Farr gave up one hit in seven innings, with five strikeouts, while
giving up only one walk.
"We lost to a tough ball game today to GW, a very experienced
team" said Lawter.
"She's (Farr) a good pitcher, no doubt about it, and she
will battle you to the end," he added.
"We got a runner on third early in the game and didn't score.
Yes, we needed some clutch hits and didn't get them, but that's
Farr coming up big.
"But, at the same time, they had baserunners early in the
game and Kristi came up big."
Myer gave up on run on three hits in three and one-third innings,
while fanning five batters and issuing seven walks.
Throckmorton gave up one run on two hits in two and two-thirds
innings, while recording one strikeout and walking none.
"These were two evenly matched ball clubs, if you look at
the prior scores," remarked Lawter after the game.
"Throw out the first one when we fell apart (a 7-0 GW win),
and that was early in the season.
"I hope people will remember we're playing with three seniors
and our kids have had to mature throughout the season.
"We knew going in we were young and we tried to get a good,
tough schedule so we could play tough competition, not to worry
about non-district wins and losses.
"We went out to win all of them, but we wanted to see what
our kids could do
"I think from the first GW game to the last three, you've
seen a lot of that maturity.
"I'm proud of our kids, we didn't quit all afternoon,"
he added.
"When they scored that run, it could have been easy for us
to think, 'here we go again.'
"But, they didn't hang their heads and kept battling."
Don't count the Comets out in the Northwest Regionals, Lawter
noted.
"You never know what's going to happen when you reach tournament
play.
"Hopefully, we'll have a chance to play GW again, and who
knows?
"We'd welcome it. Hopefully, we'll come out on top, if not
we'll shake their hands and wait until next year."
Jackie Davis Conner, age 59, of Manassas,
died at Prince William Hospital on Thursday, May 22, from complications
of emphysema.
Mr. Conner was born in Halifax County on January 1, 1944, a son
of Gracie C. and Lovelace V. Conner.
His father and a brother, Fuller Douglas, preceded him in death.
Mr. Conner was a veteran of the Army and had worked for Prince
William County in construction and until 2000 had owned his own
carpet cleaning and commercial cleaning business.
Jackie Conner is survived by his loving wife and soul mate, Suzanne,
two daughters, Sandra Lynn Mosley, of Gainesville and Heather
Lee Conner, of Richmond; his mother, Gracie Douglas, of Long Island;
a step-daughter, Carrie M. Boyce, of Manassas; a step-son, Russell
P. Madill, with the Navy based in Brunswick, Me.; four grandsons,
Justin, Derek, Zack and Collin; one granddaughter, Angelina; three
brothers, James Douglas and wife, Sharon, of Blairs, Va.; Roy
(Andy) Douglas and wife Wanda of Keeling, and Randy Douglas and
wife, Shirley, of Long Island; one sister, Marion (Bunny) Saunders
and husband Roger of Vernon; and numerous other relatives.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday,
May 27, at Price Funeral Home, 9609 Center St., Manassas.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made
in Mr. Conner's name to the American Cancer Association, the American
Lung Association or to Prince William Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to www.pricefh.com.
Mary Louise Puryear Henderson, 83, of Love
Shop Road, Halifax, died Saturday, May 24, at her home.
Mrs. Henderson was born in Halifax County on June 16, 1919, the
daughter of James Thomas Puryear and Nannie Chandler Puryear and
was married to David Lawson Henderson.
She was a member of Oak Level Presbyterian Church and a member
of the Ladies Circle.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Henderson is survived by three
daughters, Shirley Elliott and husband Lafell, Margaret Elliott
and husband Kennerly, both of Halifax and Mary Henderson and fiancee
Chuck Morgan of Bristol, VA; two brothers, Andrew Puryear of Halifax
and Stephen Puryear of Waldorf, MD; two sisters, Maidy Landrum
of Halifax and Mattie Moore of Roanoke; three grandchildren, Scottie
Elliot, David Elliot, and Alice Bond; and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services will held today at 11 a.m. at the Oak Level Presbyterian
Church with the Rev. David Kilpatrick and the Rev. Michael Bond
conducting the service. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Alice Bostian Roark, of Zephyrills, Fl.,
and formerly of China Grove, NC, died Wednesday, May 21, at Heartland
of Zephyrills.
Alice Roark was born in China Grove, NC, the daughter of the late
Virginia Winecoff Bostian and the late William H. Bostian, and
was married to the late William E. Roark.
She attended China Grove schools and the University of North Carolina
at Greensboro, and was formerly employed as a secretary with Cannon
Mills.
Alice Roark was a former member of First United Methodist Church,
China Grove, NC, and was a member of First United Methodist Church,
Zephyrills, at the time of her death.
Alice Bostian Roark is survived by two sisters, Lou Roark Edwards,
of Fairfax Station, Va. and Sarah B. Conner, of Scottsburg, Va.;
four nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services for Alice Bostian Roark were held Sunday, May
25, at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home in China Grove, with the Rev.
Vance Lowe of First United Methodist Church, China Grove, conducting
the service.
Alice Roark was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in China Grove, NC.
Memorials are donor's choice.
Albert Jack Seamon, 75, of Edmunds Street,
South Boston, died Friday, May 23, at his home.
Mr. Seamon was born in Halifax County on September 19, 1927, the
son of Albert Seamon and Sally Wilborn Seamon and was married
to Ruby Epps Seamon.
He was a member and a deacon of Black Walnut Baptist Church, a
World War Two veteran and a retired Lieutenant with the South
Boston Fire Department.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Seamon is survived by one son, Jackie
Seamon and wife Teresa of South Boston; one daughter, Joyce Seamon
Irby and husband Byron of South Boston; one brother , Edward Seamon
of South Boston; two sisters, Eloise Franklin and Elizabeth Wilborn,
both of South Boston; and four grandchildren, Amber Talley, Budd
Williams, Dex Seamon and Allison Irby.
Funeral services were held on Sunday at the Black Walnut Baptist
Church with the Rev. H.V. Conner conducting the service. Burial
followed at Oak Ridge Cemetery.