Commentary

WWII Vet Jack Evans: Smalltown Student to AF Instructor After European Flying Missions

(Bob Holeman conducted this series of interviews with local World War II veterans as a leadup to Veteerans Day 2011. Interviews continued into 2012 with any veteran he could find who, in turn, was willing to talk. Not all were interested. Virturally all of these American heroes have passed away during the decade following these interviews).

The son of a Catahoula Parish logger-turnedfarmer, Harrisonburg High School student Jack Evans had no chance at college due to poverty and the Depression. So he joined the military in 1939 in hopes of receiving training and that higher education “at their expense.”

No More Birds, Please! We have all heard of the song The 12 Days of Christmas. In this song a woman is being given gifts every day for 12 days from an ardent suitor. Considering this song is thought to have been written in 1780, either these items were much less expensive, or her suitor was a prince or king.

If you think you want to give these gifts to someone, you may want to reconsider. According to the PNC Financial Christmas Price Index (https://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com) the cost of these gifts in 2021 was $41,205.58! But that just is for the gifts. I can’t imagine feeding 50 additional people and 23 birds, much less cleaning up the mess!

So rather than gifts you have to find room for, let me offer you instead 12 Quotes for Christmas. Instead of cooking for all those extra people, you can find some quiet time during the holidays and ponder each one. And you don’ have to clean up the mess!

Dear Editor, I want to encourage the power of working together to create a stronger and more unified community. Without hesitation, several school approved vendors were willing to give back providing something positive for the youth in Winn Parish. Vintage Belle, The Crayon Princess, Kelly & Co, Southern Sublimation, and Denae’s Designs. Your open heartedness to receive this idea allowed the outreach to be successful. Your willingness to go above and beyond is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to the businesses and organizations who saw and helped fulfill that need: Bank of Winnfield, Pharmacy Services, Atlanta Baptist Church, IMPACT, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Delta Tire, Sabine State Bank, National Loan, Winnfield Nursing Home and Rehab Staff, Curl Me Crazy, La Dai Wedding & & Events Co., FBC Gail’s Gals, FBC Pairs and Spares, FBC Sanctuary Class, Books & More & New 2 U, Lexi’s Closet, Dirt Road Apparel, Amber Cox Financial Services.

As Veterans Day approached this year, I was working on the idea of recycling a series of interviews I began back in 2011 as we were heading towards the annual Veterans Day program put on by Winnfield Intermediate School students. That would have marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011.

I was prompted by the passing of World War II Army veteran Richard Wayne Skains, a member of our church who died just two days after his 97th July 4 birthday. I interviewed all local World War II veterans who were willing to talk with me a decade ago. Some did not wish to revisit their memories but 33 did. Now only one interviewee remains with us, Rev. C.W. “Jack” Jones. I recently found that another surviving veteran is Lee Young, father of longtime Winn Parish Enterprise

employee Minnie Young. There may be others I did not reach in 2011.

History has shown that the party of the president typically loses seats in the midterm elections and that has occurred in the U.S. House of Representatives although we don’t yet know how large the Republican majority may be.

Regardless, Republican control of the House— the Chamber in which the Constitution requires that spending bills originate—will be enough to block the Biden Administration’s legislative agenda and reckless spending spree. That is why winning the U.S. House of Representatives is a galactic victory for all Americans and Louisianans.

At the time of this writing, it appears that Democrats have won the Senate races in Nevada and Arizona. If these results hold under scrutiny, the December runoff in Georgia between Herschel Walker and his socialist democrat opponent won’t determine Senate control but would return the 50-50 split that has been in place for two years, and since the last Georgia runoffs of 2020.

Yes, indeed—and, in reality, it’s one that demands an answer if our lives here are to have any meaning and purpose here on earth. Why is that? Simply because if we’re seeking those things which can’t satisfy that deep, inner longing within us, then it follows that we’ll never find what we’re looking for.

There’s no doubt King Solomon, David’s son, was incredibly blessed by God. When God asked him what he desired from Him, Solomon replied “Give, therefore, Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your People”

(I Kings 3:9);

in other words, he asked God for wisdom.

And, that’s exactly what God gave him—along with fame and fortune

(vv.10-13).

But, soon, those became his liability: because he strayed from God and his 1,000 pagan wives and concubines

From the pen of

Regarding an end to the use of the reverse discrimination of racial preferences in academic admissions, Justice Amy Coney Barrett asks, “how do we know when we’re done?”

A pair of explosive cases involving race and college admission practices are now before the U.S. Supreme Court. These two cases involve whether Harvard and University of North Carolina have illegally discriminated against Asian-Americans in favor of other races.

To determine that, the Supreme Court will need to look back at its own precedents in this area.

How has the Supreme Court traditionally handled the use of racial preferences in college admissions?

I sometimes believe that it would be difficult to be any more surprised about national developments, but I find I continue to be mistaken about that.

Early voting for the November midterm elections is well under way as Nov. 8th, Election Day, approaches. So, what has President Biden touted as his—and, derivatively, his Democrat Party—closing message to the American people before the election? What economic, domestic, or foreign policy achievement does he point to, to assist his party in their election efforts?

Abortion on demand for any reason up to and during the birth process, and without anesthetic to reduce the pain during the killing of innocent children; Transgenderism, including child genital mutilation without a parent’s consent.

These are the two issues he’s highlighted in the last two weeks.

Thank you to City of Winnfield: I am humbled by the outpouring of encouragement and support on being selected the twentieth president of Northwestern State University from my hometown of Winnfield, Louisiana.

Throughout my life and time in Winnfield, I was blessed with many teachers, mentors, classmates, family, and friends who pushed me to chase after my dreams of going to college.

As a first-generation college student, I am so thankful to have been provided many opportunities that led me to where I am today.

Thank you for your investment in my life and the life of many others in our community.

God bless each of you and Fork ‘em Demons!

Dr. Marcus D. Jones – President Northwestern State University

Love, love, love! God is Love (I John 4:8), and we all need it and want more Love; or, rather, we need to know more how much God really loves us! We can help ourselves and others know God’s love more, through prayer.

When we pray, it is an act of humility; it is an act of love.

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];--1 Thessalonians 5:17, AMPC

Yes, we can repeat certain words and phrases like a robot, but when prayer is earnest--when it comes from the heart--the LORD hears and answers!

[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.--Romans 12:9, AMPC Hallelujah! It is actually the Holy Spirit Who is Love, Who is leading us to pray, and it is the LORD Jesus Who is Love: He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love--I John 4:8, AMPC.