Letters to the Editor

Prince Edward County Needs a Literacy Program

I want to restart basic literacy programming (Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESOL), and Family Literacy efforts spearheaded by the Tri-County Life Learners. I have spoken with various community members who share my interest in restarting these programs, and am interested in connecting with others who share my desire to make Prince Edward County a literacy hub that serves the needs of our community.

The Tri-County Life Learners served Cumberland, Prince Edward and Buckingham counties and was a part of the Southside Literacy Partners, coordinated by the Charlotte Adult learning Center. No other local group offers organized efforts to promote basic literacy, and English as a Second Language instruction. Consequently, I would like to convene a group of like-minded people to undertake reviving these services. This meeting will be open to anyone in Prince Edward County who has any interest in the effort.

A little about myself: Ending in January 2018, I served as the executive director of the Charlotte County Adult Learning Center, and, in addition, I have worked in adult education both domestically and internationally.

Those interested can contact me on my cell phone at 804-307-4748 or by email at charlit401@gmail.com. I would like to invite all interested individuals to join us at the first meeting to set up a steering committee that could design some type of vehicle to deliver services, either on a one-on-one basis or to groups.

Date: November 26th, 2018

Location: Barbra Rose Johns Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

Lonnie Calhoun

Farmville

Veterans Memorial to be Dedicated November 12

November 11 is Veterans Day. It was first observed 99 years ago as “Armistice Day” to remember those who served in the “Great War” which is now called World War One (WWI). 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice which ended the Great War; combat ceased on Nov. 11, 1918 at “the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.”  In 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars and is now known as Veterans Day.

Some World War One US Troop Statistics:

4.7 million men and women served                                                                                                                     

2 million shipped to France with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF)                                                                                                                                 

200 days of brutal combat; 16 major battles                                                                                          

50,300 Killed in Action; 63,000 died of disease (38,815 in Camps Stateside); 4,503 died in accidents; over 1,000 suicides                                                                                                                 

199,000 Wounded in Action (41,000 “Shell Shocked” (PTSD of its day)                                                                

A Veterans Administration study in 1930 found that since the Great War’s end there were 460,000 deaths related to the war.

The Farmville American Legion Post is “Jack Garland Post 32” named for John “Jack” Garland, a 19-year-old Farmville man serving with the U.S. Army’s Company G, 116th Regiment, 29th Division who was killed in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on October 8, 1918. This date included some of the most intense combat and acts of bravery in American military history. Of the 121 Medals of Honor awarded in WWI, 22 were awarded for actions that occurred on October 8 of 1918. This was the day that the famous Sgt. Alvin York earned the Medal for his actions and also the day that Virginia’s own Sgt. Earle Davis Gregory’s actions earned him the Medal of Honor.

Jack Garland served honorably as did hundreds of others, nearly 700 men from Prince Edward, both African-American and White served during WWI. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice will be honored this Veterans Day holiday on November 12 when the Farmville American Legion and Prince Edward County dedicate a memorial to them on the court house lawn. Post 32 Commander Bill Bailey and Legionnaire Dan Pempel led the effort to have this memorial placed on the Centennial of the Armistice.

Let us never forget our World War One Veterans as we honor all American Military Veterans on this Veterans Day. I urge everyone to participate in the Bells of Peace at 11 a.m. on November 11 by ringing a bell 21 times. There is even a phone app for this, please visit the World War One Centennial Commission website at www.worldwar1centennial.org/ for information.

Ed Dunn

US Navy Veteran, Cold War and Desert Storm Era

Member, “Jack Garland” American Legion Post #32