In The News

By COSHANDRA DILLARD
The Camp Fannin Association Annual Veterans’ Memorial Service was held Saturday in remembrance of those who trained at or who were associated with the site on the University of Texas Health Science Center campus.

Although inclement weather brought the service indoors to the center’s chapel, about 50 people attended to show reverence to veterans.

Dr. Kirk Calhoun, UTHSCT president, said he is continuing efforts to expand and improve the memorial. He said with a pending veterans’ care facility, the center would like to add more seating and beautification projects.

“When the veterans’ home is built, about 150 yards from the memorial, they too, will have a place to come and remember their fellow fallen comrades,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, spoke at the event, praising both the center for its efforts in maintaining the site and veterans who served the country.

“It is not required that UT Health Science Center do what they do to honor the site, but they do that anyway and we are grateful,” he said.

Gohmert said the primary job of government is to “provide for the common defense” and a strong military is necessary for lasting peace.

“When the government does its number one job, everything else seems to fall into place,” he said.

J.P. “Jack” Pinkerton, of Tyler, is a Camp Fannin veteran from 1942 to1946. While there, Pinkerton helped set up barracks for troops who trained at the site.

“When I came here, it was just an open ground filled with rubbish,” he said. Within six months, the camp was transformed, he said.

Today, as a member of the CFA, it is important to remain close to other veterans, he said.

“There is a bond that most people can’t understand,” he said. “It’s something that lasts forever.”

Pinkerton noted it was important for younger generations to preserve the memorial.

“I think young people should be involved in their local government and understand the history of this nation so they know what this great nation is about and what it took to sustain it,” he said.

The Camp Fannin U.S. Army Infantry Replacement Training Center opened in March 1943 and was deactivated in June 1946.

It is estimated that more than 200,000 men trained at the camp during that time. The CFA was created in 1990 and has held annual reunions since 1992.