Under overcast skies on Saturday, a somber crowd turned their
eyes to the heavens as a formation of military jets streaked by,
one hurtling towards the heavens in the "missing man"
formation.
It was a final farewell from U.S. Air Force comrades for native
son Major William R. Watkins III, who was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC) for valor and courage in combat during the
mid-day funeral service.
A sudden shower, the bagpipe's haunting rendition of "Amazing
Grace" and the finality of a bugler's "Taps" were
a prelude to the most poingnant moment.
As the mourners, led by the airman's wife, Major Melissa Watkins,
offered a final farewell, she returned to the coffin, bent and
kissed the casket holding her husband.
During the service, Watkins' wife accepted the DFC, the Purple
Heart and the American flag from military officials.
A letter from President George Bush commending the airman's heroism
was also read.
Watkins, an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer, was killed
in combat over the skies of Iraq on April 6, leaving his wife,
a 10-month -old son, William, and a second child, due August.
In presenting the DFC, the military commended Watkins, crediting
him with saving the lives of countless United States ground forces
in combat.
He was flying in support of Special Operations Forces when he
was killed.
The DFC credited Watkins with locating enemy concentrations and
artillery, but due to poor infrared visibility, he was forced
to descend below 17,000 feet to identify and prosecute enemy Iraqi
forces advancing on friendly positions.
During his initial attack, he detected anti-aircraft artillery
fire directed toward his flight formation , performed evasive
maneuvers and led his formation of F-15Es away from the threat.
Watkins then identified an enemy surface-to-surface missile, attacking
and destroying the target with two direct hits from laser-guided
bombs.
He made two additional passes, destroying revetted artillery pieces
with two direct hits from laser-guided bombs.
An overflow crowed at St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax spilled
over into nearby churches Saturday as family, friends, comrades,
state and federal dignitaries honored their native son.
"Sometimes the reality of life is not so good. Sometimes,
that reality is death," said the Rev. William B. Taylor Jr.,
executive director of Camp Chanco, a place dear to Watkins' heart
as a young man and adult.
The priest said that a face had been put on the war.
"It's not just a nameless face on CNN. The face you see is
our hero, William 'Bill' 'Salty' Watkins, said Taylor.
Watkins was stationed with the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron,
379th Expeditionary Operations Group, 379th Air Expeditionary
Wing at Al Udeid Air NBase, Qatar, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was a 1989 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Watkins
served 12 years in the Navy as a Naval Flight Officer in the A6-E
Intruder and F-14A Tomcat.
Public hearings on the school system's operational budget as
well as proposed subdivision ordinance amendments top supervisors'
agenda tonight.
The public hearings are set for 8 p.m. in the conference room
at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax, and each public hearing carries
variations on original proposals.
In a lengthy Thursday evening meeting conducted by the Land Development
Task Force in Halifax, several changes and clarifications were
recommended to the supervisors for consideration at tonight's
meeting, all reflecting advertised or lesser restrictions.
The task force took action on three issues, a recommendation lowering
the current proposal of five acres with 500 feet of width at the
street line for a lot size in A-1, to two acres and 200 feet at
the street. Hudson Reese offered the motion, which carried a second
by Jim Davis.
The task force also recommends not striking out the current language
that defines and allows private roads in a subdivision. That motion
was offered by Reese with a second by Davis.
The task force agreed to address road maintenance and setback
issues at a future meeting.
On motion of Larry Laymen, with a second by Davis, task force
members recommended striking out the current proposed language
that required a statement be placed on the plat to specify the
parcel is not approved for residential purposes.
Lack of enforcement regarding private street issues was discussed
at some length.
Private roads, construction and maintenance issues dominated much
of the meeting.
"The county can and should prevent the future fragmentation
of farmland," said task force member Linda Wallace.
Task force chairman James Edmunds told developers present at the
meeting that "the intent was not to ban private road subdivisions."
He said the duty of the task force was to preserve viable farmland.
Edmunds said that requirements pertaining to lot sizes and setbacks
on defined Virginia Scenic Byways should be addressed in the future.
School Budget Hearing
Last month supervisors trimmed $334,667 from the School Board's
proposed operational budget, approving $11,871,131 in county funding
for public hearing tonight rather than the $12,205,798 sought
by the School Board.
The Finance Committee recommended excluding funding for transfer
to construction, as had been requested by the School Board.
At the April meeting, supervisors approved the request in a 6-1
vote with Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott opposing.
One supervisor, David Martin, was absent.
Overall, the School Board is seeking $47,820,978 in state, federal
and county funding.
Upcoming meetings include proposed Monday, May 12, school budget
adoption, a joint meeting with town councils on May 19. Supervisors
will adopt a county budget June 30.
Several VDOT issues on the agenda include the county's intention
to abandon Secondary Route 729, 0.77 miles from its intersection
with U.S. Route 360 to Dead End, for a total distance of 0.23
mile. Also on the agenda, a discussion of Town of Halifax traffic/truck
routes
Shirley Denise Dixon, 33, aka "Neecee", of Bessie
Marion Trail in Halifax received an additional nine-month sentence
this week in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg, according to Maj.
R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement
Task Force.
She will serve her time in a federal penitentiary, Pulliam said.
"She was arrested about a week and a half ago," the
task force leader said.
A co-defendant from "Operation Snake Eyes," Dixon was
convicted as a participant in a major drug operation in 1999,
according to the task force leader.
She had been released from a federal penitentiary and was on supervised
probation, where she failed to follow the instructions of the
probation officer, according to Pulliam.
"Operation Snake Eyes" was an investigation involving
major drug dealers in Halifax County and surrounding areas.
"The major distributors convicted are still incarcerated
in federal penitentiaries," Pulliam said.
One kingpin, Robert Graves of Kitty's Lane in Nathalie, received
a life sentence and other ringleaders, Josh Napier of Liberty
Road in Nathalie and Clarence Herndon, aka "Huckabuck,"
of L.P. Bailey Hwy. in Nathalie, received prison sentences in
excess of 10 years.
"'Operation Snake Eyes' was the culmination of in intensive,
lengthy investigation resulting in the arrest of 57 persons for
a total of 136 charges," Pulliam said.
Those charges ranged from the distribution of crack and powder
cocaine, marijuana, illegally acquired prescription medicine and
illegal liquor sales.
"Eight of the arrests were for federal drug, weapons, abduction
and conspiracy charges," noted Pulliam.
Pulliam said the investigation focused on the long-term open-air
drug markets at Cody Car Wash on Hwy. 40, on Kitty's Lane off
of Hwy. 603 in Cody and at a residence on Liberty Road in Liberty.
"These conspiracies were found to be moving kilo's of crack
cocaine into Halifax County every month," Pulliam said.
Seizures in the investigation included ounces of powder and crack
cocaine, marijuana, eight guns, seven vehicles and over $10,000
in cash.
"One of the drug rings had street level revenues of about
$30,000 to $40,000 every month," the task force leader said.
Pulliam said the investigation was never closed and due to the
investigation there have been some "recent developments associated
with the organizations."
Additional arrests are anticipated in the near future, Pulliam
said.
In other police business, Brandy Nicole Elliott, 18, of Virgilina
was charged with reckless driving after an accident Thursday morning.
Trooper G.M. Gilliam of the Virginia State Police said Elliott
ran her 2000 Pontiac off the right side of Route 602, overcorrected
and ran off the road to the right once again before striking an
embankment and overturning.
Trooper Gilliam was the investigating trooper.
Delano B. Grasty, 25, of Buffalo Road in Long Island Va., was
arrested Friday and charged with the possession of schedule I,
II controlled substances.
The alleged offense was committed Friday.
Deputy T.A. Mocarsky was the arresting deputy.
Democracy was unleashed in what could best
be described as a bloodletting within the Halifax County Democratic
Party Thursday night.
A move to pull party support from House of Delegates hopeful Brad
Wike was vetoed by his supporters.
Listening quietly, Wike remained undeterred by the onslaught.
"When I get done with Clarke (Hogan), the people will be
mad at him," the candidate promised. "I understand defeat,
but I'm not going to walk away from the fight.
"If I leave, you'll beat me here tonight," he added.
"We may lose this election, but we're not going to go without
a fight. There is going to be some hell-raising."
The action came during a contentious meeting of county Dems in
South Boston.
State Democratic leaders have expressed concern that Wike didn't
have a clear plan or the financial infrastructure in place to
be a serious candidate, according to Josephine Marshall, county
chairperson.
Because of that concern, Marshall told the 30 or so in attendance
that the 2003 election may not be the time for Wike to challenge
Del. Clarke Hogan, a Republican.
"Today, we need to ask Brad Wike to not leave the party,
but to step aside for the good of the party," Marshall said.
"People have been concerned about where we're going and what
would be the best for the party," Marshall said.
Looking Wike in the eye, Marshall laid her cards on the table.
"All that I'm hearing is that you (Wike) can't win this election.
"What have you done to make people want to vote for you?"
she asked.
"If you don't have a plan and you don't have the money, maybe
you shouldn't run.
"This isn't the time for Wike," she continued. "We
need to step back and get our house in order. I'm not saying we
should dump Brad, but I think he would be a better candidate in
two years."
But she conceded that much of the fault was the party's. "We
didn't do what we needed to do to make Brad a viable candidate,"
she said.
Wike supporters, however, were vocal in their opposition to the
move.
"Frankly, I think this is selfish," long-time Democratic
supporter Bill McLaughlin said.
"This is America," he pointed out. "If Brad wants
to run, he can run. There's no reason to have a party if you're
not going to run a candidate."
Prior to voting on whether to support Wike, there was a challenge
of the eligibility of some members attending the meeting to vote.
Secretary Pat Wingler noted that some of those in attendance were
not registered with the party, and therefore weren't eligible
to vote on issues.
McLaughlin, however, argued that all present should be allowed
to show their support of Wike.
"They're here," he said. "Let them sign up and
vote."
Despite Marshall's pleas, county Dems voted overwhelmingly to
support Wike's candidacy.
"I wanted him to wait until the next election," Marshall
said after the meeting. "He's a young man and he's committing
political suicide. The pundits and all the people who know these
things say he can't win."
She also voiced her concern about the direction the party was
heading.
"What they (Wike supporters) are doing is killing the party."
Former Halifax County High School football standout Alfred
Ford never gave arena football so much as a thought when he finished
his career at South Carolina State.
Now, several years later, Ford is a standout on the Richmond Speed
Arena Football 2 League team.
"The first time I saw arena ball on television I said 'who
created that game?'" said Ford during a quick break while
helping his father, Breedlove Ford, serve the Richmond Speed a
team lunch during a Thursday stop at his father's new restaurant
in downtown South Boston.
"That looked like the craziest football in the world."
Since then, Ford's view of the game has changed.
"Now I love it," said Ford who is in his fourth season
with the Richmond Speed.
"I think it's the best football out there. It's fast-paced,
it's fun and hard-hitting."
Having the opportunity to play for the Richmond Speed in AF2 has
somewhat saved Ford's football career.
Opportunities to play in the NFL were slim for Ford when he graduated
from South Carolina State.
"I had a couple of talks with people, possibly this and possibly
that," said Ford.
"But I wasn't expecting it. I wanted to play football. I
wanted to play football anywhere."
Ford was working in Charlotte, N.C. at Continental General Tire,
doing minor repair work and working on tires when the opportunity
to play AF2 football with the Richmond Speed came along.
"A coach that I had played under in Charlotte when I was
messing around some with semipro had received an offer to be an
assistant coach in Richmond," explained Ford.
"He remembered me and started looking for me. He was looking
for me and found my parents and here I am.
"I've loved it," added Ford.
"When the shot to play arena football came open I was the
happiest guy in the world."
Ford, who plays on both sides of the football, is a linebacker,
defensive lineman and tight end for the Richmond Speed who were
2-2 on the season after Friday night's win in their contest against
Greensboro, NC.
While playing both offense and defense is tough, it's not uncommon
in AF2.
"Everybody in arena football goes both ways except the quarterback
and your offensive specialists," Ford explained.
"On defense you have two defensive specialists to sub in
for the quarterback and offensive specialist."
Ford has been a standout defensive player throughout most of his
high school and college football days.
But he says he also likes having the opportunity to touch the
ball on the offensive side.
"I love to hit people," said Ford.
"But, I've been offensive minded all my life. I tend to like
the tight end position a little better just because they throw
me the ball."
Ford had four catches to his credit entering Friday night's game
against Greensboro.
"I got hurt in the first game and didn't play in the second
game," said Ford.
"The game against Greensboro will be my third game of the
season."
Ford says the Greensboro game is a game in which the team will
be able to measure its progress.
"We will find out if we are where we think we are,"
said Ford.
"We started out 0-2, lost our quarterback to Arena 1, lost
two receivers who had other obligations.
"We have a bunch of guys that, if they step up and fill their
roles, we can be the best team in this league," added Ford.
"We have the talent and we have the athletes. We've just
got to build up the trust among each other and produce."
There are several things in arena football that differ from regular
football.
One of them is the size of the team roster.
Whereas most regular football teams carry 50 and 60 players on
a team, there are only 19 players on an AF2 roster.
Ford says that because the team rosters are so small, it is vital
that every player trust his teammate.
"Because there are only 19 guys on the roster, you build
a real good rapport with everybody," he pointed out.
"You have to trust everybody out there and hope they do their
job. Everybody has to play their role because there is very little
room for error in this game."
Ford says he would like to have a chance to play football at the
next level.
"My coach thinks I'm one of the better players that has played
this game," said Ford.
"But, my work ethics are not where they should be. I put
a lot of other things first instead of focusing on trying to get
in shape and doing what I need to do to go to the next level.
"I've got one of the best coaches in the game," continued
Ford.
"He's a friend first and he's working with me trying to get
me to get right. Hopefully, within the next year or two, I'll
have my mind made up."
The next opportunity that appears to be knocking on Ford's door
is Arena Football 1.
"A1 is definitely knocking," said Ford.
"If we (the Richmond Speed) can win the championship this
year with our leadership and I can play a part in that, and coach
gets his Arena 1 job, I feel like we're off."
As far as his immediate plans are concerned, Ford says after the
AF2 season ends he plans to come back to South Boston and help
his father in his new restaurant.
He says he also plans to join the Halifax County-based Southside
Virginia Gators semipro football team again this season.
"It's community first," said Ford.
"My dad kept asking me if I was going to play (for the Gators
last season) and I said, no. But I thought I needed to come back
and help out around here.
"I'm looking for something positive for this area and what
other way is there to do it than by playing football? It's something
I love to do.
"I figured I'd come back, help out, get the guys to come
join us and exercise," continued Ford.
"For these guys, there is nothing else for them to turn to
after Halifax County, especially if they don't go to college.
I feel like my job is to come back here and make them feel good
about playing and maybe pursuing a college. At this level (semipro
football) in Halifax, you can go to college or go anywhere. The
door is wide open for guys who would like to take an opportunity
with what we have."
Ford says his Richmond Speed coach is planning to scout the Southside
Virginia Gators team this season.
"He said he was going to look down here and see if he can
find some talent," said Ford.
"Two or three of the guys on our team (the Richmond Speed)
are guys that played in the all-star game that the conference
that the Gators are in played in Lynchburg. We found two or three
diamonds in the rough at that game."
Marcus Richardson says he needs to improve his performance
on the field.
The former Halifax County High School and Bridgewater College
football standout is confident he can do it with more time and
opportunities to play.
Richardson, playing his second season with the Richmond Speed
Arena Football2 League team, had nine catches for 106 yards, one
for a touchdown, entering his team's Friday night game against
Greensboro.
Those numbers aren't flashy, but they are almost certain to be
much better by the time the season ends in late July.
"My numbers aren't where I'd like them to be," said
Richardson who is a wide receiver on offense and defensive back
on defense.
"But, I think the longer I'm here the coaches are gaining
more confidence in me playing and I'm adjusting to it well. I
feel my playing time will increase."
As is the case with many young players, Richardson has had to
pay his dues.
"Most of the time, my role has been playing behind the two-time
"Iron Man" (wide receiver Kevin Harvey)," Richardson
explained.
"So, I haven't been getting all of the playing time."
Richardson's marks for the season are behind his pace from last
season when he had 20 catches and six touchdowns.
But, when it comes to the end of the season, Richardson feels
his numbers can rise over last year's statistics.
One of the reasons for that is that the Speed has lost two key
receivers in Harvey and Jeff Townsley, both of whom left the team.
The loss of the team's two key wideouts could open the door more
for Richardson to showcase his skills.
"I had better numbers last year than I do right now,"
Richardson pointed out.
"But, I think this year will be a better year overall."
Richardson, who was Bridgewater College's all-time leading pass
receiver with 2,142 total yards and 21 career touchdowns, 12 of
which came in his senior season in 2001, says he has had to adjust
playing arena football.
"I didn't think Arena2 had the athletes it has in it,"
Richardson said.
"I didn't think I was just going to come in there and take
over. But, I also didn't think it had the athletes it has.
"As far as playing the wide receiver position is concerned,
the transition wasn't that hard," added Richardson.
"The routes are basically the same. Indoors, the field is
shorter so you don't have as much room to run them and the passes
are thrown quicker."
Richardson, in addition to playing wide receiver, also has had
to learn to play defense as a defensive back.
"Defense took the most adjustment because, in playing defense,
we also have a what we call a geo-linebacker, which is what would
be like a strong safety in the outdoor game," Richardson
explained.
"I play that sometimes also."
Richardson says he was also caught a little offguard by the amount
of quickness is needed to successfully play the game.
"In college, I considered myself to be fast," said Richardson,
"but I never was quick.
"My first five yards were probably the slowest part. After
I got five yards, I was gone. During the summer of my senior year
I really worked on that and got a lot quicker."
"You're not able to get up to great speeds for a distance,"
added Richardson.
"You need to get up to speed quickly. Everybody is very quick
from the linemen to the skill positions."
Richardson says he is confident about the Richmond Speed and its
ability to have a good season despite the fact that the team's
record was 2-2 after Friday's win against Greensboro,NC.
"It's been a slow start," said Richardson.
"But, we have some new players this year and we're a young
team. We don't have a lot of guys back from last year.
"We're started to jell and come together," continued
Richardson.
"I think in the end, we'll turn out some great things."
As a college football player, Richardson said playing arena football
was never an option that he considered.
"In college I said I'd never play arena football," pointed
out Richardson.
"I just didn't know a lot about it. I think that was the
main reason I said I would never play it.
"Since I've been playing it, I love it," continued Richardson.
"I still think I may prefer the outdoor game just because
my thing is my speed and I have more room to use it in the outdoor
game. But, I love the indoor game."
Richardson has come a long way with football in the span of a
few short years.
He played only one year of high school football, that coming as
a senior in 1996 under former Halifax County High School football
coach Larry Smith.
At that point, as far as Richardson was concerned, football was
over.
"Coming out of high school I wasn't even going to play football
in college," said Richardson.
"I went to Bridgewater and I was recruited there for football.
In my first year at Bridgewater, playing football after college
wasn't a thought either.
"After I started getting better, people started asking me
did I want to play after college and what was going to go on and
that sort of thing," Richardson continued.
"During my senior year (at Bridgewater College) people started
saying something about arena football. I still didn't know about
it but I'm glad I made the decision to try it."
Richardson, a biology major employed as a lab technician at Sauer's
Seasonings in Richmond, said while he was successful, football
wasn't his sole priority in college.
"While I was at Bridgewater, I didn't want to just play football,"
he said.
"I wanted to do something in my field so that in case football
didn't come through, I would have experience.
"If football doesn't come through, I'd like to stay within
this company and move up," Richardson added.
Richardson ended up receiving feelers from a couple of CFL (Canadian
Football League) teams.
"I actually thought I was going to go to one of them,"
said Richardson.
But neither of the opportunities panned out.
However he is getting his chance in AF2 and says he would like
to move up through the ranks.
"I'd like to play Arena1 in that I'm in arena football now
and that's probably going to be the better way to go," Richardson
said.
"I would enjoy that."
In the meantime, he is working to learn the game in AF2.
"I'm trying to get through Arena2 and trying to learn everything
I can about that and become the best player I can be here before
I try to move up," Richardson concluded.
Graveside services will be held for Mr.
Edwin Burwell Dunn at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Halifax Cemetery.
Mr. Dunn died May 21, 2002 at Medford, Oregon, the daughter of
Daniel Dunn and Cornelia Jones Dunn.
Mr. Dunn was born in Halifax County on April 17, 1918.
Survivors of Mr. Dunn include his wife, Betty Quick Dunn of Willowstreet,
PA; two daughters, Leslie D. Anteleys of Poughkeepsie, New York
and Linda D. Croll of Cambridge, Massachusetts; and two grandchildren,
Leo Antelyes of Poughkeepsie, New York and Sophie Croll of Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
The Rev. Belle Drake will be conducting the graveside service.
Tammy Sue Murphy Jones, 40, of South Boston,
formerly of Fredericksburg, died April 29 at her home.
Survivors include her husband, John H. Jones Jr; sons, Sherry
Williams III of Spotsylvania and Bobby Williams of South Boston;
two daughters, Tanya and Melissa Williams, both of Spottsylvania;
one stepdaughter, Teresa Jones of South Boston; her father and
stepmother, Earl and Cathy Murphy of Ruther Glen; maternal grandmother,
Doris Gordon of Woodbridge; paternal grandmother, Marie Browning
of Clintwood; one brother, Michael Murphy of Ruther Glen; one
half-brother, Randy Murphy of Hampton; one stepbrother, Michael
Hagerman of Sterling; a half-sister, Pam Handle of Yorktown; one
stepsister, Sandy Hagerman of Archdale, NC; one granddaughter,
Katelyn Williams; and two step-grandchildren. She was preceded
in death by her mother, Natalie Murphy; and one sister, Sandy
Murphy.
Graveside services for Mrs. Jones will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow,
May 6, at Quantico National Cemetery with the Rev. William E.
Jeffcoat officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 this evening at Covenant
Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.
Mr. Leonard Vaden Shelton Sr. of Richmond
died on May 2, 2003.
Mr. Shelton was a member of the Glenn Allen Masonic Lodge 131
A.F.&A.M. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech and a veteran
of the U.S. Army. He was a member of Derbyshire Baptist Church
and was retired from the Department of Agriculture FMFA.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m.today at Derbyshire Baptist
Church. The internment will be at 3:30 p.m. at the County Line
Baptist Church Cemetery in Halifax.
Survivors of Mr. Shelton include his wife, Laurie M. Shelton;
two sons, Lenord V. Shelton and Robert E. Shelton; one daughter,
Laurie M. Satterberg-Shelton; three grandchildren, William, Gregory,
and Jennifer Shelton; one great-grandson, Kyle Shelton; a nephew,
William Mayes; a niece, Virginia Buck; and his favorite aunt,
Dorothy W. Motley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Derbyshire baptist
Church Endowment Fund, 8800 Derbyshire Rd, Richmond, VA 23229.