Citizens of Brownwood, Brown County and throughout the area gathered at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial Wednesday morning to pay homage to all those who have served in the military as part of the annual Veterans Day commemoration ceremony.
Among the highlights of the event, a plaque was placed in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Robert E. “Bob” O’ Malley, of Goldthwaite, who was on hand at the ceremony.
Also, plaques were dedicated to Brownwood resident Norman Chesser, who survived the Bataan Death March, as well as Major General Earl Rudder, a former mayor of Brady, who was instrumental in the D-Day Invasion.
To close out the festivities, Colonel Tom Gray and Harold Stieber presented a World War II participation medal to Gussie Seiler.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes said while addressing the audience, “Look at the place where we are, look at the number of people here today to honor the veterans on Veterans Day. I’m always proud to be from Brownwood, Texas, but probably never more proud than on Nov. 11 of each year. This is a special place, we’re standing on hallowed ground. I had no part in it other than to say I supported it, but look at what has been accomplished by those who set their minds to honoring our veterans. And I’m going to tell you with all the pride I can muster, that no one honor our veterans or honors this day better than the people of Brownwood, Texas.”
Haynes further added, “One of the best things we can do to honor veterans is to honor the things that they fought for. They fought for our freedoms and it’s our responsibility to continue to share those concepts and talk about liberty and what those many brave men and women did.”
Navy Commander Chaplain Jim Looby spoke of Chesser’s time serving his country during World War II, as Chesser was stationed in the Philippines when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941.
Chesser fought in the Battle of Bataan which lasted from January into April of 1942, when U.S. and Philippines forces surrendered to the Japanese. A 69-mile torture-filled march for 60,000 to 80,000 prisoners resulted in more than 18,000 deaths. The atrocity of the march led to Japan being charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Chesser survived the march, and 42 months as a prisoner of war.
Chesser, a graduate of Indian Creek High School and Daniel Baker College, eventually returned to Brownwood after his time in the military and worked for the United States Postal Service for 46 years, while also ranching. He passed away in 2006.
Looby also read from the plaque that honors O’Malley.
“One of only 71 living medal of honor recipients in the year 2020, Robert E. “Bob” O’ Malley received the Medal of Honor Dec. 6, 1966 from President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin. … By his valor, leadership, and courageous efforts on behalf of his comrades, he served as an inspiration to all who observed him and reflected the highest credit upon the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”
Squad leader in Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in Vietnam in August 1965, O’Malley’s unit came under intense fire. O’Malley responded by jumping in a trench to attack the Vietcong with his rifle and grenades, where he killed eight of the enemy. O’Malley then led his squad to the assistance of an adjacent Marine unit suffering heavy causalities. Later ordered to evacuate, O’Malley – wounded three times – continued covering his squad as they boarded helicopters and did not permit himself to leave the field of battle until all other men were evacuated.
State Representative-Elect Dr. Glenn Rogers dedicated the Rudder plaque.
Rogers said of Rudder, “He was the architect of the dream that produced this center. In this, as in all he did, he demonstrated an uncommon ability to inspire men and lead them to exceptional achievement.”
Rudder helped lead the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 and later led the 109th Infantry Regiment in The Battle of the Bulge, the last major offensive put on by the German army. Upon hearing of Germany’s surrender, Rudder said, “This seems to be a great day not only in our family but also in history. I’m more convinced now than ever we must fight for things are of great value.”
Rogers concluded his remarks by referencing Ronald Reagan’s 1967 inaugural speech when he became governor of California.
“Freedom is fragile and never more than one generation from extinction,” Rogers said. “It is each generation’s responsibility to fight for that freedom. That threat has never been more real than it is today. Earl Rudder fought to preserve our freedom during his life, and his memory now inspires us to do the same.”
Looby also filled in as keynote speaker for State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, who was unable to attend after coming into close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19.
Among Looby’s remarks, he stated, “Consider making yourself a promise that you will share with young people today, high schoolers especially, the opportunities that lie before them if they will enlist or commission into one of our military branches. I don’t know why going into the military is not a viable option with young people today, but these young people will learn responsibility, they’ll learn respect, they’ll learn accountability, they’ll learn a trade, they’ll be a better man and a better woman for having served in one of the branches of our military.”
