Honoring Veterans

- Haskell Templeton -

I want to mention the veterans in my family whom I am grateful to for their military service.

SSG Fred Schmidt, US Army (retired), 1983 to 2004. He served as a Platoon Sergeant and a M1A1 Tank Mechanic, did two tours in Germany during the Cold War and was also a member of the Canadian Armor Trophy Team (CAT Team). He is a combat vet of Operation Desert Storm and was stationed at White Sands Missile Range for a Homeland Security Mission.

PFC Mickey Templeton, US Army, 10th Artillery, 1961 to 1963. His job was firing a 105 Holister cannon. He spent 18 months at Fort Benning, Georgia after basic training.

Bill Tucker, Fireman 1st Class, US Navy, 1948 to 1950. He was a metalsmith (welder) aboard the USS St. Paul, a heavy cruiser whose homeport was Long Beach, California.

Les Templeton, S2 USNRF, WWI.

Haskell Templeton, US Navy, WWII. He was a water tenant aboard a liberty ship. His photo is above.

I'm not very comfortable writing about military ranks and such, so please forgive me if they are out of order or misspelled. Thanks to all the veterans out there for your service and sacrifice.

I wanted to mention some things I've noticed around Hobbs this week. There's an oil rig platform across from the school on the backside of that cotton field to the north. There isn't a lease sign up, so I don't know who is drilling, but the Railroad Commission of Texas has a searchable drilling permit database that can be perused using many different parameters.

I noticed the Hobbs School put a new tin roof on the old building out front this summer and they've been tweaking it some this week.

Frank Cockrell's tombstone was engraved with the date of his death this past week.

On to headlines for the November 8, 2007 issue of the Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record:

• Veterans Day Ceremony at Rotan ISD Nov. 12, 9 a.m.
• Lady Hammers Bi-District Champions (photo)
• Assistant District Attorney Ann Reed Announces for District Attorney, 32^nd Judicial District (photo)
• Letter from City of Sweetwater to Sweetwater Water Users
• Brown Bag Bible Study
• KTAB Teacher Tribute Award (photo)
• Filing for Local Offices Opens Dec. 3
• Obituaries for Elaine Ballard, Janet F. Jones, and Ruby Trim
• Fisher County 4-H Food Show Results
• Lucy Ragan Alls Bags Buck (photo)
• Veterans Day Tributes (photos)
• Veterans Day Ceremony 2007 at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum
• Classified Ads, Deadline Noon on Tuesday, 325-735-2562
• Rotan Yellowhammers Sports Review (photos)
• Roby Lions Sports Review (photos)
• Halloween Costume Photos
• Roby CISD & Rotan High School Weekly Calendar
• Joy Walker’s Fisher County Round-Up
• Fisher County Chamber Elects New Officers, Reviews Results of Hog Fest
• 2007 BBQ Cook-Off Results, Fisher County Hog Fest
• Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record has new email: radvance@rotanadvance.com
• Sheriff’s Report
• Roby Student Essay Published in National Newspaper (photo)
• Rotan Christmas Parade to be Held Dec. 6 @ 6:15 p.m.
• Randy’s Roundup
• YHQ After-School Program Registration
• Recipe Corner: Chicken Parmesan
• Rotan 8^th Grade Officers (photo)
• Monthly Climatological Summary for October 2007
• News Briefs: Lubbock Ballet to Host the Nutcracker Ballet; Ladies Conference

Enjoy your Sunday and be sure to remember a veteran.