David Shuey spoke in first person portraying John J. Pershing,
who was born September 13, 1860 and died July 15, 1948. He was the one who in 1906 was promoted from
Captain Pershing to Brigadier General Pershing by President Theodore Roosevelt. He was born at home in Laclede, Linn County,
Missouri, the son-of a railroad section boss.
In 1877, he began teaching school in Laclede, to help with family
finances resulting from the 1873 depression.
Two years later he moved 10 miles to Prairie Mound school district. Planning a destiny as a lawyer turned out to
be more that of a teacher! In 1881, he
entered a competitive examination for an appointment to the Military Academy at
West Point and finished first out of sixteen.
John J. Pershing, nicknamed “Black Jack”, graduated in June 1886 as
First Captain ranking 30th in his class.
In September 1886 2nd Lt. Pershing reports for duty with 6th Cavalry at Fort
Bayard, New Mexico. Participated in the tragic Wounded Knee campaign. He was assigned the
University of Nebraska in 1801 as military science professor, where he serves
for four years. Then came various military
assignments and teaching positions.
When
he returned to Washington in 1903 for service with the War Department, Pershing
met the daughter of Wyoming senator Francis E. Warren. Pershing and Frances Warren married January 26,
1905 and their first child was born in September 1906 – the year he became Brigadier
General. They had two more daughters and
a son. Pershing received a telegram in August 1915 that
his wife Frances and all three of his daughters had died in a fire at the
Presidio. He returned back to San
Francisco to attend the funeral and arrange for bringing his son Warren to Fort
Bliss in Texas. He went back to more
military assignments and then in 1921 he was named Army Chief of Staff. In 1939 Pershing warned that the US active
and reserve forces were not adequate. On July 15th, 1948 General of
the Armies John J Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces of
World War I died. He is buried at
Arlington with his men beneath a standard gravestone.
County Commission Chairman Marty Smith is greeted by Chaplain Bruce Holley.
The Guest speaker David Shuey (History Teller Productions,
Newville, PA) appeared as General Pershing and he delivered a speech about the
U.S. entrance into the Great War on April 6, 1917. If you missed this event, you missed a real
blessing! He was thoroughly prepared and
made this a wonderful tribute to our Veterans and a meaningful lesson to us all!
Park supporter Sheriff Terry Langley helping when needed.
Chaplain Bruce Holley led the morning prayer.
Rifle salute...
The Laying of the Wreath.
David Shuey speaking as Gen. John J. Pershing.
The Carroll County Symphony Wind Ensemble played period songs
with vocals by the Camerata A-Cappella Ensemble beginning at 10:30 A. M.
Rifle Squad - American Legion Post 143.
The Bell Tower is pictured in the background - center.
22 young soldiers from Carroll County that died in service
during The Great War were remembered with the tolling of the Park Bell after
each name was announced by Barry Gardner.
Old Glory is raised at the end of the ceremony.
David Shuey and Barry Gardner share with attendees.
The Abraham Baldwin Chapter NSDAR is a supporter of the Park
and had several members present for the ceremony. Pictured for the left are Gwyn Chesnut, Sandy Vierling, Violette Denney, Speaker David Shuey, Martha Stapler, Wendy Quinn, Sherryll Miles, and Karen Denney.
