Memorial Day Memories // Lyman L. Jones

As you may have already known, my friend Jesseca over at Whimsical Writings for His Glory is doing a linkup this weekend in honor of Memorial Day and those who have gave their lives for our country. I knew I wanted to take part as soon as I heard about, but I didn't think far enough ahead at the time. 

Unfortunately, all such thoughts got pushed aside while my focus was on other things, and I didn't remember until I saw Jesseca's post. Hmm... I thought. I'll have to do some searching to find someone. Although it wouldn't have been too difficult to find someone eligible, I wanted it to be more personal. 

Thursday night while helping with supper, I was telling Mom about the linkup and mentioned that I needed to 'find someone to research'. "Well, you do know that your great-grandfather's brother was killed in WWII, right?" 

As you may have already guessed my reply was a bit dramatic. "What?! How did I not know this?! Tell me all about it!!" 

Finding my enthusiasm amusing, Mom agreed to get some details for me after supper. (I mean, at this point, a name would've been helpful. :P) Given a name and a few minor details, I set out to discover more. Here's what I found out... 

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Lyman L. Jones was born May 5, 1911 in Jackson county, North Carolina. He had two brothers, Lawny (my great-grandfather) and Weaver, and two sisters, Hattie Mae and Ollie Belle. 

He married Mae Belle Johnson (1917-1996), though I have been unable to obtain the date of their marriage. They had one son, James Jones. 

Lyman entered the service in December, 1943 and received basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. 

On November 25, 1944 he was killed in action in Germany, having been overseas only a month. As far as I know, Mae Belle never remarried, but raised their son alone. Lyman's body was recovered and brought back to Jackson county for burial. A memorial service was held in October, 1945, nearly a year after his death. 

I found two newspaper articles concerning this man. Below is the one I found to be mostly correct, although it does have his age off my a couple years. 

"Funeral services for Pfc. Lyman L. Jones, 36, of Gay, were held last Thursday afternoon at 2:00 at Zion Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Bishop, pastor, and the Rev. Bill Sorrells, of Franklin, officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pfc. Jones was killed Nov. 25, 1944 in the Battle of the Bugle. ... Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Maybell Jones and one son, James Jones. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Columbus jones; two brothers, Lonnie and Weaver Jones; two sisters, Mrs. Johnnie Mchanan and Mrs. Albert Fox all of Gay. ... The American Legion had charge of the graveside." 

Not a lot of information for someone who paid the highest sacrifice for his country, is it? Maybe if he hadn't died, we would know more about him. Yet even as I think on that, I'm inclined to wonder... 

To wonder if it's better that now, generations later, we don't know all the details. Maybe the mystery of the unknown is there for a reason. To help us fully realize the sacrifice that was given, and continues to be given. For us. 

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Let's remember, today and always, the sacrifices made for our freedom and the freedom of our loved ones. God bless America. <3 

~Faith