THANK GOD SUCH MEN LIVED

THANK GOD SUCH MEN LIVED

By Andy Weddington

Saturday, 24 May 2025 (Memorial Day weekend)

The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand men.  - Minot Judson Savage

Brave men ...

+ James Esley Landreth: 10 December 1894-05 April 1969

James enlisted in the United States Army and fought during World War I. In combat he suffered traumatic head wounds, lost a leg, and was not expected to survive. Somehow, he did. Buried with military honors, he rests in Chestnut Hills Cemetery, Salisbury, North Carolina. I was there. The report of rifle salute, flag folding, and Taps haunts. To me he was (great) "Uncle Dutch." My memories of him and wood leg and rubber foot crystal clear. 

* Edward Joseph Malone: 31 December 1893-27 September 1918

Eddie enlisted in the United States Army and fought during World War I. He served with 304 Engineers, 79th Division, Pennsylvania. Circumstances of death not clear. Buried with military honors, he rests in Merse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Lorraine, France. He was the brother of my maternal great grandmother; who I met. A black and white full-figure photo of him graced a wall in my maternal grandparents home. I do not recall much family history talk of him growing up. But that photograph crystal clear. 

* Francis Bost Weddington, Sr.: 28 October 1894-13 July 1942

Francis enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines with service during World War II. He was steward about the merchant ship Oneida. The unarmed transport, loaded with ballast, was attacked - torpedoed - by German U-Boat 166 in the vicinity of Cuba. She sank within three minutes. Twenty-three crew survived. (Great) Uncle Francis was a casualty - lost at sea. He was the brother of my fraternal great grandfather, World War I Army veteran, who I knew (died day after my 10th birthday). There's headstone honoring Uncle Francis in a cemetery in China Grove, North Carolina. I learned this family history only last July 4th weekend - wandering the cemetery. He was never talked about by great grandfather, granddad, my dad, nor other family. And I'll never know why. His son, Francis Bost Jr., enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and fought in the South Pacific during World War II. He survived. 

Glenn Haywood Weddington: 04 February1925-03 August 2001

Glenn enlisted in the United States Army and fought in World War II. A Private First Class infantryman, he hit Omaha Beach on D-Day. And fought through war's end. He was the big brother my dad, oldest of four, did not have - they were close. Because he nor anyone else in the family talked about it, I did not learn of Uncle Glenn's service until after he died. I knew (great) Uncle Glenn. He was buried with military honors and rests in the Salisbury (North Carolina) National Cemetery Annex. 

+ William George "Bill" Scoggins: birth unknown-21 November 2004 enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and fought in the South Pacific during World War II. A communications lineman, he was wounded in combat - while atop a pole strafed by a Japanese Zero. Extent of injuries unknown. Service records lost due to fire at National Records Center. I remember Uncle Bill. He rarely talked about his service. To best of knowledge, buried with military honors and rests in a cemetery in Lexington, North Carolina.

And others. 

+ Wounded in action

* Killed in action

Monday, Americans pay tribute to those who died during service to country. 

Eddie Malone and Francis Weddington, warriors - my great uncles - amongst.   

As United States Army General George S. Patton is credited with saying, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived."

Yes. Only for such men, and women, and their likes will America survive. 

So, of course, be reverent but be happy, too, this Memorial Day - celebrate and toast our honorees, and thank God for their lives.