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Complete Forecast for  May 09 2008

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

GLADEWATER - Hands on hearts, the words of the national anthem rose from those gathered around the grave of a national war hero Tuesday afternoon in Gladewater Memorial Cemetery. Veterans and guests gathered as Master Sergeant Travis E. Watkins was honored during a ceremony on National Medal of Honor Day.

The Medal of Honor was officially established in 1863 and is the highest military award given. There are 3,443 recipients from the millions of military men and women who have served.

Watkins joined the Army in Gladewater and served in World War II at Guadalcanal and was awarded the Bronze Star.

He was killed in action on Sept. 3, 1950, near Yongsan, Korea after four days of intense fighting and was awarded the Medal of Honor in February 1951 for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.

Korean War Veterans Association Tyler Chapter President Jim Gill said remembering the fallen heroes who defended the nation in times of peril is paramount and that special reverence and remembrance should be paid to Watkins. More than 80 veterans and visitors paid respects to Watkins during the ceremony. A wreath was placed at his grave as the mournful sound of bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" was heard.

Gill spoke to the attendees about the ultimate price Watkins paid without regard to his life and the respect heroes such as Watkins deserve.

"President Lincoln said, 'If we do not honor our heroes we will soon have no heroes to honor,'" he said.

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, spoke about other heroes and other wars, the accomplishments of the Korean War and the failures in Vietnam.

Wherever democracy is allowed to reign, the people flourish, he said. South Korea flourishes now, he said, because of what Watkins and his men did. Gohmert said the inheritance all Americans enjoy was paid for by those who shed their blood in its defense.

"This man laid down his life for his friends," he said.

The ceremony grew out of the simple thought that Watkins' grave should be cleaned and a special marker placed to remember him as one of only 70 Texans who have received the Medal of Honor. Gill and his chapter organized the ceremony as part of the celebration of March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day. The cemetery has given permission to place an 18-foot flagpole beside Watkins' grave that will fly an American flag and a light to illuminate it at night, said Gill. He said he hopes to cooperate with other veterans associations in the future to make the ceremony an annual event and hopes that more and more East Texans will attend in Watkins' honor.

Watkins Medal of Honor citation tells the story of his bravery and sacrifice. While fighting near Yongsan, Korea, Watkins and the soldiers under his command were separated from the major U.S. forces in the area.

Isolated and surrounded by an overwhelming enemy force, Watkins and 30 men in his unit set up a defensive perimeter and repelled continuous assaults by the enemy for four days. He moved from foxhole to foxhole, giving instructions and encouragement to his men, exposing himself to enemy fire.

When his men's munitions grew short, Watkins killed two enemy soldiers 50 yards outside the perimeter and went alone to retrieve their weapons and ammo. As he gathered the weapons, Watkins was attacked by three others and wounded. He returned fire and killed all three.

Watkins then gathered their weapons and returned to the foxhole to the amazement of his comrades with the weapons and ammunition of the five fallen enemies.

During a later enemy assault, six enemy soldiers made their way within the perimeter and began throwing grenades into the men's position.

Despite his wound, Watkins rose from his foxhole and engaged the enemy and was immediately hit by enemy machine guns, but continued to fire until he killed the grenade throwers. Paralyzed from the waist down, he encouraged his men to hold on. Watkins, after realizing reinforcements would not arrive, ordered his men to escape and leave him behind.

"Master Sgt. Watkins' sustained personal bravery and noble self-sacrifice reflect the highest glory upon him and is in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army," his citation reads.

"This is a special place, hallowed ground," Gohmert said. "As long as people are willing to pay the ultimate price we need to honor them."