[Marlin Democrat] -- Local D-Day survivor honored by grateful nation, hometown

Local D-Day survivor honored by grateful nation, hometown

By Denise Schoppe
Staff writer

The Marlin Democrat
March 02, 2005

From his glider above the shores of Normandy, Billy Steele was thankful he wasn't among the hundreds of men floating dead in the waters stained red from blood.

"Twelve minutes later, I was one of them," Steel recalled after receiving special honors from US Representative John R. Carter (TX-31) during a luncheon at the Men's Association Civic Center on Thursday, Feb. 24.

A who's who of Marlin and Falls County government joined Carter and representatives from Representative Jim Dunnam's office to honor Steele for his bravery on D-day.

Carter presented Steele with special recognition on behalf of President George W. Bush, who had challenged him to find a living survivor of D-day to give them special recognition and a framed copy of a proclamation showing June 4, 2004 as D-Day National Remembrance Day.

According to the story told prior to the presentation, on D-Day, Steele and his glider co-pilot William McKay were carrying a 105 Howitzer that upon a crash landing broke loose and moved forward, crushing the two men. McKay was killed; Steele had his legs broken in 26 places.

Thought dead, Steele was placed in a group of deceased soldiers until someone noticed movement. He was sent to a hospital where he was unconscious 14 days, and then spent 18 months in hospitals.

"D-day was a long day," Steele said. "We were only 500 feet above where we flew in, and my co-pilot said 'So long sucker' and I said to him 'Take me back to Texas.' And they did."

Along with the proclamation from President Bush, Steele received honors from Representative Jim Dunnam's office in the form of a Texas flag.

Senator Kip Averitt also will be passing a resolution in the Senate in honor of Steele and his wife, Anna, who have been married for 57 years.

[Marlin Democrat] -- Mr. Rogers cycles to help neighborhood youth

Mr. Rogers cycles to help neighborhood youth

By Denise Schoppe
Staff writer

The Marlin Democrat
March 02, 2005

As Spring Break kicks off next week, Buck Rogers will begin a 500 mile journey towards helping Marlin youth.

"I am hoping this will bless a lot of people," Rogers said. "I'd like to see recreation for our youth come out of it."

"It" is 'Cycling for Youth 500', a fund-raiser conceptualized by Rogers to raise funds for future use in providing recreational facilities for Marlin's youth.

"Many of our youth don't have anywhere to go on weekends or in the summer that provides a safe and fun environment," Rogers said in a letter explaining the project. "Marlin is blessed to have many servant-hearted citizens that desire to make a positive difference in the lives of our young people."

Rogers is drawing on his own desire to help youth to head up the newly formed Marlin Youth Mission, who's purpose is to raise awareness and funds to help provide recreational projects that will meet the needs of the young people of Marlin.

As a school counselor for Marlin ISD and volunteer chaplain/motivational speaker for the Marlin Bulldogs football team, Rogers has a strong tie to area youth. His idea for "Cycling for Youth 500" ties in to the 20 years of racing bikes.

Rogers will be cycling for 500 miles over Spring Break, going 50 miles every day for 10 days. He asks that individuals, businesses and churches sponsor him for $1.00 per mile or whatever amount they wish to give.

He has already received financial commitments from 7 businesses, and is being supposed by approximately a dozen churches.

The project will be kicked off on March 5 with a bicycle parade down Live Oak, and Rogers encourages everyone to join him as he begins his long journey. Anyone wishing to participate needs to meet at 10:30 am in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The ride is open to anyone 8 years old and over, though anyone younger may ride if they are supervised by a parent or guardian.

Departure will be 11:00 am with a police escort, ending at the courthouse where guest speakers will talk about current and future youth projects and activities.

The afternoon will be filled with fun for all who come out. Special guests that day will be Baylor University football players who will bring prizes and footballs to play with all the youth there following the parade. Confirmed attendees are wide receiver Ryan Jefferies and quarterback Shawn Bell.

Rogers will continue his journey throughout the week, and he invites anyone wishing to join him to do so.

He will start every morning at the courthouse and head out on Business 6 south. He will then take SH6 part the Sheriff's office, Schools, and then turn at the dealerships back down Business 6. When he reaches Live Oak, he will go up and down street before continuing back on his circuit down Business 6.

Anyone wishing to join him can ride as long as they wish.

On Thursday, Mar. 10, First Baptist Church of Marlin will be hosting a youth game day for third through fifth graders from 2:00 - 4:00 pm in the FBC youth building at 309 Coleman.

There will be a closing ceremony for the fund-raiser on Monday, Mar. 14 at the Marlin Elementary School at 3:00 pm.

"I hope that this will attract other community leaders and spur a movement towards helping our youth," Rogers said.

All of the funds raised will be placed in a designated tax-exempt account at First Baptist Church of Marlin and can only be accessed by approval of the Board of Directors of the Marlin Youth Mission.

[Marlin Democrat] Column -- Pet Peeve #39

Pet Peeve #39
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe

The Marlin Democrat
March 02, 2005

Everyone has them. Those little things that just get under the skin and rub, like a pair of shoes that haven't been broken in properly. They rub and rub until a blister forms.

Pet peeves. Those things that just annoy a person.

I used to say I didn't have any pet peeves. Nothing could really fluster me. Today, however, I realize I have quite a few.

For example, there's pet peeve #12: the one about cup holders in the car. Today's vehicles generally come with cup holders that tuck into the dash and that can be brought out for use with the push of a button or the flick of a lever.

It bugs me when someone leaves the cupholders out after using them. It's even worse when an empty cup stays in the holder for days at a time. (That would be pet peeve #13.)

It seems like such a minor thing, but to me it is a huge bother. I itch to push the holder back into its place and send the empty cup sailing into the closest trash bin.

Pet peeve #3 is someone standing behind me while I type at the computer. #20 is being asked to help with something only to never be allowed to do anything. #31 is stale chips and flat soda.

That brings me to my latest pet peeve, the one I lovingly refer to as #39 or "Buy a blinker!!!"

The increased number of people not using turn signals is hard to miss, and it has quickly climbed its way up to a featured place on my list of peeves.

I travel a lot. I drive 37 miles one way to work every day, and my love for road trips has lead to my trading three trucks in four years due to high mileage. I've seen a lot of odd driving habits in my travels, but most things are seen once and then not seen again for 100s of miles. The lack of turn signal use is rampant, however.

In a recent trip to Dallas, as I made my way down I35 I had to rely of fast reflexes several times as cars chose to just drift into my lane with no warning. Several times a week on my way home, I find myself stuck behind a car stopped in the highway because I have no clue if they are making a left turn, a right turn or just feel like taking a moment to blow their nose mid-stream.

I went to College Station this last weekend, and I have always found amusement in being able to pick out the visitors there to view the campus and surrounding areas. They don't know the streets in which the outside lane just disappears and you have to be prepared to merge with the other lane. Then there are the places in which the lane that was through traffic becomes left-turn only. Generally, a turn signal is flipped on and the person is allowed to merge safely into traffic and go about their way.

Not this time. This time breaks were slammed and undoubtly many curse words uttered as vehicles whipped into traffic with no regard for letting others know what was going to happen.

This is how people get hurt. As a driver, you are responsible for yourself, your passengers and all the others on the highway.

All the other drivers? They don't have ESP. Just because the driver of the Blue Chevrolet knows they are going to make a left turn, it doesn't mean that the line of ten cars behind them knows that. Not without the use of a turn signal.

My usual passengers (read: my parents) have become used to my snipping, "I'd buy you a blinker if I thought you'd USE it."

How hard is it to give other drivers an idea of what is going to happen? It's simply a matter of a quick flick of the wrist to turn on the signal light.

I, too, am guilty of not using a turn signal. I think everyone has been guilty of it at some point in time. Lately, however, as it seems the lack of using a signal has become common. I've reached the point that when I see someone use it to change lanes, it takes me a moment to comprehend what that blinking light means!

Okay, so I'm exaggerating at this point. However, the idea remains the same. Turn signal use has declined, and it's going to get someone killed some day, be it in an accident or a result of road rage.

Use a blinker or learn the proper hand signals. When on the highway, everyone is manuevering heavy equipment at a fast pace. The need to know what is going on around you and to let others know what you are going to do is high. It could mean the difference between life and death.