Fallen veteran's memorial being restored

Gary Lee Jones was a Carrier Mills native, born in May 1945. In late 1966 he moved to Homewood to live with his uncle. Shortly after his arrival in Homewood, Gary was drafted into the United States Army and sent to serve his country in Vietnam. On February 4, 1967, while on a mine sweeping patrol in Phu Yen province, Gary Lee Jones died in the service of his nation.

Gary's platoon leader, Dave Tanner remembers, "I was not with the platoon that day. Gary's platoon sergeant told me that while on the mine sweep, Gary discovered a booby trap. Gary chose to shield it with his body rather then put others at risk. He died a hero in service to others."

Gary was the first Carrier Mills native and quite possibly the first Saline County native to die in Vietnam.

In the early 1970s, a small memorial park was established on East End Street in Carrier Mills. The site had a covered pavilion and a brick and mortar memorial in which bronze plaques recorded the name of the park and Gary's name and service to his country. Unfortunately, over the years, the park was not maintained and fell into disrepair, the bronze plaques were stolen and the roof of the pavilion was vandalized.

Last week, the Gary L. Jones Memorial Park Committee had its first meeting, fittingly in the memorial park itself. The goal of this group is to restore the memorial park and continue to honor the memory of Gary and all veterans.

"It's a crying shame that a memorial to a fallen veteran is in this condition," said Pastor Ron Williams, also a service veteran.

The committee seeks to gather the funds and materials to restore the pavilion and replace the plaques, in order to see this memorial continue to remind people of the sacrifice of all veterans, living and deceased, in the service to our nation.

Larry Mullinix, a service veteran and Carrier Mils resident feels very passionately about this subject.

This memorial is not for one family or one ethnic group," Mullinix said. " It is for all veterans."

Pastor Ron Williams, Reverend Gary's sister, Nona Taborn, Mullinix and several neighbors and family members were at the park Oct. 1 for the organizational meeting of the committee.

Williams was voted President of the committee, with Larry Mullinix and Nona Taborn filling the posts of Vice-President and treasurer and Dianne Taborn took the position of secretary. The committee is appealing to the community for donations of funds, material or labor in the restoration process.

"We are asking contractors or people in the area with left over roofing material or plywood to keep us in mind," said Dianne Taborn. "We are going to fix the memorial and restore the plaques first, and then try to work on the pavilion. Any help of any kind would be greatly appreciated by the committee, Gary's family and area veterans."

Williams said Wednesday afternoon that the American flag was once more flying proudly from the flagpole in the park and the first steps to refurbish the park were in full swing.

"We plan to replace the plaques and then we will have a rededication ceremony," Williams said.

So in the very near future, this memorial park will once more be a proud testament to the valor and pride of the veterans of the United Military and a example of courage and duty to the youth of Carrier Mills and Saline County.