WE CALLED HIM TERRY

It was the year Nineteen Nineteen in the month of July, but it wasn’t like the typical scorching July day one would imagine, for on this day of July Thirtieth a fair skinned, blue eyed, blonde haired babe was born.  He was to be named Terry Wiseman Parnell the second born son of George Oscar Parnell and Sallie Farabee Parnell.

Over the years Terry grew and thrived on the family farm along with his four other siblings. He was like any average boy who loved to play marbles, hunt and fish. He loved his rifle so much so that he took every opportunity he could to dash away for a quick hunt. Squirrel and rabbit were his favorite small game to hunt and plentiful in the area, therefore he supplied many a good meal for his family to feast upon. Swimming was a summertime favorite and for that reason he along with friends and family created themselves a swimming hole by damming up a nearby branch. The swimming hole was the place to be on hot summer days, as many as eleven local boys hung out at the swimming hole when chores were completed.

As the years progressed Terry flourished in school and he become a member of the local basketball and softball teams. He helped lead the teams to victory in many a game, scoring the final winning points.

Years passed by and he completed all the requirements for high school graduation. Now a young man, he seemed to excel at everything he attempted including farming. He was a master at farming and knew exactly how to handle the family’s team of donkey (Belle & Clyde) in the daunting task of plowing for the summer crops of tobacco and cotton.

By this time his personality really begins to shine, and everyone knew him as the charming young man from Tyro who never meet a stranger. It was told that back in the days it was a common practice for young men to stand roadside and thumb for a ride into town. As luck would have it, Terry almost always got picked up by the first ride to come along, while other young men would stand roadside for half a day waiting for a ride to graciously pick them up. His beaming personality was the reason for this along with his good looks and charming persona. As a young man he loved nice clothes, and always made sure his garments were cleaned and pressed for date night.

 

 

Terry, now in his early twenties, weighed one hundred and thirty-seven pounds and stood five foot eight inches tall. As the years progressed, he worked many a job with the last being recorded as sawmill hand. The start of the forties leads to WWII and soon thereafter his brother Frank was called to serve. Terry knew it was a matter of time before he was drafted, therefore on April tenth nineteen forty-one he voluntarily enlisted for service in order to serve alongside his brother Frank. The  young man with a bright future, who dreamed of his own home and eventually family left for training. His love of guns followed him into the service and he was eventually placed with the hundred eighty first field artillery BN in Luzon, Philippine’s.  It was a tough time for his family as three of the Parnell boys were sent off to war. Terry tried to ease his families fears and concerns, writing as often as he could until the day of January nineteenth, nineteen forty-five when he made the ultimate sacrifice defending his country. In a flash the hundred and eighty first field artillery was hit heavily by enemy fire.  In a matter of seconds several young men with General MacArthur’s forces lost their lives and families would be left heart broken and devastated. Today Terry rests peacefully in the quaint Bethel cemetery in Tyro surrounded by family and friends. A young life lost too soon but never forgotten.  On this special day let us remember Terry Wiseman Parnell as the bright-eyed boy, full of life and love. Having made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and fellow Americans to continue a life of freedom.