Anne McKee
During this week, we observed Veterans Day – an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. It’s a day of grand parades, the voices of many children’s choirs singing the great anthems of life and liberty, the laying of wreaths upon the graves and monuments of the brave soldiers who defended our country with hearts filled with courage and love for the Red, White, and Blue.
It was 1919 that President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed November 11 as the first Armistice Day. Later, in 1954, the US Congress officially changed the name to Veterans Day. It is interesting that the US Congress declared the correct spelling of the title should be Veterans Day – without the comma. Therefore, the term was declared with the possessive case. Yes, Veterans belong to all of us.
But, this Veterans Day was celebrated more completely by Meridianites because of one soldier. His name was Charles A. Parkin. He served in the US Army during WWII with a final rank of Lieutenant Colonel. It took a longtime to gather this much information. Yes, there is a story here … read on as I attempt to tell you one soldier’s story.
In 1999, Anita Jo and Bill Ross purchased a house. It was really nothing out of the ordinary, just a small house located in Meridian on 10th Street. Anita Jo and her husband bought the house as an investment, nothing more, but little did they know that their world would literally be rocked by the purchase of an insignificant house.
After the purchase of the house, Anita Jo began the cleanup efforts. The couple found the home to be neat and tidy with a large selection of great books. Anita Jo knew by the collection of books that the owner had a broad literary interest. She also knew the owner loved animals and enjoyed working with his hands. There were found the remnants of a doghouse in the backyard, a woodworking shop, and one more item was found – a box of ashes marked with the name of Charles Parkin tucked away in a back closet. At this time, the Ross couple began a long and detailed search. Who was Lt/Col Charles A. Parkin?
Many years have passed and many hands have helped with the research. It was learned that Charles A Parkin was born in 1901 in South Carolina and died in 1997 at Meridian. In 1971, it was noted that he worked for the L. B. Priester & Son business, probably, as office personnel. All research indicated Mrs. Parkin (Blanche) died prior to 1971. A will was located dated 1979 where he left the house to his wife’s cousin, Thelma Pressley, but unfortunately, Mrs. Pressley died in 1981. At that time, an addition to the will left the house to Mr. Parkin’s neighbor, but the neighbor died prior to the death of Mr. Parkin and the ownership of the home went to the neighbor’s wife. This is the person from whom Anita Jo and Bill Ross made their purchase.
Mr. & Mrs. Ross felt a deep conviction to lay this soldier to rest. They have received community help with this endeavor by The Magnolia Cemetery Veterans Plot, the Stephenson/Delauncey VFW designated area, who donated a plot of land for burial. In addition, Ward Calhoun, Director, Lauderdale County Department of Archives and History, and Representative Gregg Harper’s office volunteered their help with the needed research. Randy Etheridge, J. H. O’ Neil Marble Works, has committed help with the location of a piece of granite upon which an inscribed bronze plaque will be placed.
Isn't it wonderful when community comes together to get a job done, but then, this is the Meridian community and the generosity and kind hearts of those who live here never surprise me?
Dear readers, if you have any information about this soldier who died 1/15/1997 in Meridian, please call The Lauderdale County Department of Archives and History -- (601) 482-9752.
Remembering a soldier … what could be more important during this week when we as Americans and as Mississippians observed Veterans Day?
Anne McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.
