BEDFORD – Lawrence County Veterans Affairs Officer Brad Bough and Assistant Veterans Affairs Officer and Commander at American Legion Gillen Post 33 Charles Delphia thanked the commissioner Tuesday morning for supporting the veterans of Lawrence County.
He shared several upcoming events that will highlight veterans this Veterans Day.
Lincoln Elementary will hold a celebration on Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.
Bedford Middle School will hold a celebration on Friday at 9 a.m.
All veterans will be able to attend the Bedford North Lawrence Lady Stars home game against Mitchell for free. Thanks to the Disabled American Veterans and the Lawrence County Commissioners. The Junior Varsity teams will tip off at 6 p.m.
Golden Corral will host a free meal for any veteran on Monday, November 13 from 5 a.m. until close.
The American Legion Gillen Post 33 at 515 X Street will provide veterans with a free lunch on Saturday, November 11. They will have a special guest speaker Teena Legman, who was an officer in the United States Marine Corps at 11 a.m. A free SAL Fish Fry will be provided from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Brad Bough highlighted Veterans Day and the life of a hometown man who lost his life serving his country.
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are commemorated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May. Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who have died while in military service.
Legally, on Veterans Day two minutes of silence is recommended to be observed at 2:11 p.m. EST.
Cladie Bailey, of Heltonville, was the basketball coach at Heltonville. He was serving with the 126th Indiana Infantry. He was only 34 years of age when he was killed on Luzon Island in the Philippines on April 20, 1945.
He was married to Catherine Bailey and they had a son, Cladie Alyn.
“I served with Col. Bailey,” said Ken Bruce. “He commanded the 1st Batallion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. The 32nd Division was made up of National Guard Units from Wisconsin and Michigan, and the 126th from Wyoming(Grand Rapids area). I had a platoon in Company “C” of the 1st Batallion. I was with him on the Villa Verde Trail in Northern Luzon two days before he was killed by a Japanese grenade. There wasn’t a finer gentleman or better soldier in World War II.”
Bailey was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain on December 31, 1942. He advanced to the rank of Major on October 15, 1943, and was made a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division “Red Arrow”, U.S. Army on May 15, 1944.
Bailey was awarded the Distinguish Service Cross, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 2 December 1942, in the vicinity of Buna, New Guinea. As commander of a rifle company, Lieutenant Bailey led assault elements of his unit in an attack on Buna Village. He advanced without regard for his personal safety, inspiring his command by his example of initiative and courage. He overran enemy bomb shelters and machinegun emplacements and mopped up a hostile bivouac and command post area. he advanced with his company to Entrance Creek and placed it in position to cover the flank of the attacking force. First Lieutenant Bailey’s intrepid actions, personal bravery, and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 32d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
He was also awarded the Silver Star Posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving with the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division during World War II.
Due to his heroic service, Bailey was inducted into the Indiana Veterans Hall of Fame in 2022.
