Veterans were honored and several plaques were dedicated during a ceremony on Wednesday morning, November 11, at the Central Texas Veterans Memorial in south Brownwood.
Among the highlights of the event, a plaque was placed in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Robert E. “Bob” O’ Malley, of Goldthwaite, who was on hand at the ceremony.
Medal of Honor recipient Robert E. “Bob” O’Malley of Goldthwaite is shown addressing the crowd at the Veterans Day Program Wednesday in Brownwood.
Also, plaques were dedicated in honor of Brownwood resident Norman Chesser, who survived the Bataan Death March, as well as Major General Earl Rudder, a former mayor of Brady, who was instrumental in the D-Day Invasion.
Navy Commander Chaplain Jim Looby spoke of Chesser’s time serving his country during World War II. Chesser was stationed in the Philippines when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941. Chesser fought in the Battle of Bataan which lasted from January into April of 1942, when U.S. and Philippines forces surrendered to the Japanese. A 69-mile torture-filled march for 60,000 to 80,000 prisoners resulted in more than 18,000 deaths. The atrocity of the march led to Japan being charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Chesser survived the march, and 42 months as a prisoner of war. Chesser, a graduate of Indian Creek High School and Daniel Baker College, eventually returned to Brownwood after his time in the military and worked for the United States Postal Service for 46 years, while also ranching. He passed away in 2006.
State Representative-Elect Dr. Glenn Rogers dedicated the Rudder plaque. Rogers said of Rudder, “He was the architect of the dream that produced this center. In this, as in all he did, he demonstrated an uncommon ability to inspire men and lead them to exceptional achievement.” Rudder helped lead the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 and later led the 109th Infantry Regiment in The Battle of the Bulge, the last major offensive put on by the German army.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes said while addressing the audience, “Look at the place where we are, look at the number of people here today to honor the veterans on Veterans Day. I’m always proud to be from Brownwood, Texas, but probably never more proud than on Nov. 11 of each year. This is a special place, we’re standing on hallowed ground. I had no part in it other than to say I supported it, but look at what has been accomplished by those who set their minds to honoring our veterans. And I’m going to tell you with all the pride I can muster, that no one honors our veterans or honors this day better than the people of Brownwood, Texas.”
To close out the festivities, Colonel Tom Gray and Harold Stieber presented a World War II participation medal to Gussie Seiler.