The World War II Veterans Monument in the Pixley Cemetery

            

           Mother’s photograph collection contained the above photo labeled “1951” on its back. The formal signing of the surrender in Japan on September 2, 1945, officially ended World War II. The residents of the Bend raised money to erect a marker honoring those who “gave the last full measure of devotion.”

            As I looked at the names on the plaque positioned on the face of the monument, I queried in my thoughts, “Why had the names of these young men been chosen for honor?” Having come to this cemetery my whole life, I knew most marked graves in the cemetery well enough to know only one soldier listed on the monument was buried in Pixley Cemetery.

            Lieutenant Bert Frame, whose name is listed fifth on the plaque, is buried close to both of our family sections of plots. His grave is on the same row as my Gates family members. My maternal grandmother’s family, the Rainey family, occupies part of the row just west of Bert Vern Frame’s grave.

            Mother indicated in my early days how her dear friend, Lora Jean Woods Hood, had dated this dashing young lieutenant who was killed in action in Calcutta, India. The 22-year-old pilot died on May 4, 1945, according to this Pixley entry at: Bert Vern Frame (1922-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

            Lieutenant Frame had another "Bend "connection. His aunt, his uncle, and two cousins along with a hired hand were some of the first burials at Pixley Cemetery following a tornado. Here is a link to their graves: Jack Keethler (unknown-1893) - Find A Grave Memorial. Upon visiting this site or the cemetery itself, one can see burial sites of Jenetta (Jeanette appears to be the spelling on the tombstone) Pixley Keethler and Burchie Pixley Frame, both daughters of Daniel Pixley. Pixley, the patriarch of the family, is also buried in Pixley Cemetery along with over a dozen others with Pixley family connections.

            George Samuel Woodward, the uncle of my cousins, Lynda Gates Zebelman, Phillip Gates, Brenda Gates, and Debbie Gates Marty, served in Company H in the 9^th Infantry in the European Theater. His parents, John and Lilly Woodward, and their family had moved to the Bend when he enlisted in December of 1942. Private First-Class Woodward died of wounds incurred during battle, according to the publication, World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing. G.S., as his family affectionately called him, was 23 years old when he died on October 12, 1944. The headstone at his grave in Fairfax Cemetery indicates the battle was fought in Germany. One of his nieces mentioned he had hoped to marry when he returned. Looking at the grave of one killed in battle, like G.S., it becomes hard to imagine how many dreams and goals were never realized. His burial site and a military photograph of G. S. can be seen at this link: George Samuel Woodward (1921-1944) - Find A Grave Memorial

            The three remaining young men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom all lived in the Bend when the 1930 United States Census was taken. At the time of their deaths, their families had moved from the Bend.

Corporal Albert Crosley Foust, Jr., the son of Albert C. Foust, Sr. and Bertha Maude Drake Foust, was officially declared dead on February 26, 1946. Based in the Philippines, young Foust was assigned to the 5^th Bomb Group in the Pacific Theater. He served as a gunner on the B-24 Liberator. One researcher, Russ Pickett, stated his bomber crashed at sea on June 17, 1944. His name appears on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Here is a link to this Philippines cemetery: Corp Albert C “A.C.” Foust Jr. (1925-1946) - Find A Grave Memorial This 20-year-old hero was a nephew of Lawrence Foust, the maternal grandfather of Rick Rice. Another uncle, Harry Foust was the maternal great grandfather of Lisa White Crabtree, another present-day Bender. Corporal Foust was the great nephew of Rose Cheatham Cannon who was the grandmother of Donnis Cannon, another Bender. (Rose is also buried in Pixley Cemetery).

                When seeing the last name of Leva Bledsoe, I thought of the Bledsoe family members who have lived in the Bend all my life. After consulting Carol Bledsoe, she confirmed my research. I had found no connection between Leva’s father, Daniel, and Lee and Bill Bledsoe’s grandpa, Roy. Leva Bledsoe’s family had moved from the Bend before he began serving in the United States Army. Pfc. Leva Edward Bledsoe was killed in action at age 24, on October 4, 1944. He fought with the 80^th Infantry Division as they drove the German forces from the fortress city of Metz, France. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France where more of American World War II military dead are buried than any other site in Europe. Here is the link to a marker in the Cleveland, Oklahoma cemetery that honors this former Bender who fought for the freedom we enjoy today:  Leva Edward Bledsoe (1920-1944) - Find A Grave Memorial       

                As a kid, I recall Dad talking about the Bridges’ boys who attended Woodland School, the rural school in the “west” Bend, with Dad. In an old, time-tattered vintage scrap book of my maternal grandma, Gladys Rainey Smith, I found a folio for the memorial service of Pfc. Joseph C. Bridges. According to this folio, He was inducted into the service September 17, 1943. He was attached to the 51^st regiment, 4^th armored infantry of the 3^rd U.S. Army under General George Patton. Died in hospital at Luxemburg, Germany, of wounds received at Bitsburgh, Germany. This link will connect to Joseph Bridges’ gravesite: PFC Joseph C Bridges (1925-1945) - Find A Grave Memorial

As I mused over these five young men, the reality of young Joe Bridges being only 19 years old recalled the recent memory of my former third graders who just weeks ago had turned their tassels so full of life and dreams. What a high price to pay for freedom to worship, free speech, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!

                Less than 24 hours prior to His crucifixion, Jesus spoke these words at the last supper with His twelve disciples, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John, His beloved disciple, recorded these words of Jesus in John 15:13. This sacrificial type of loyalty to one’s fellow citizens and their beloved country motivated the soldiers who served in World War II.

            Another scripture verse magnifies the unfathomable love of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Just as we have such an overwhelming appreciation and gratitude to these young men who gave their lives for the country they loved, so may we respond wholeheartedly by receiving the gift of salvation Jesus purchased with His blood and offers freely to us.