This is a salute to all the soldiers who go to war, ordinary men and women, some who return home and some who don’t. This is in memory of two brothers near and dear to Wanda Lewis, a longtime resident of Gilroy. She recalls them both with great fondness and love and has never forgotten how great these “ordinary” men were.
John Powell, Jr., and Elmo Powell were two young brothers who grew up working harder than we can imagine on the family farm in Oklahoma and signed up to join the Marines and the Navy respectively in WWII; one came home, and one didn’t. The elder brother, John Powell, Jr., handsome and dashing at age joined the Marines and was killed on the island of Okinawa on June 9, 1945. Younger brother, Seaman 2nd Class Everett (Elmo) Powell, also served overseas, but was fortunate to return.
Elmo did not return to be a farmer; he worked tirelessly to advance in the oil business, learning every aspect of what it meant to work hands on in the “Oil Patch” as a consultant. He became a well-respected oil consultant sought after by many in the industry for his knowledge and wisdom. He would tell of the honor of being able to serve his country and of the pride for his brother who did not return home, but whose purple heart graced the local museum in Cement, OK. He loved to tell of the rewards of raising his children and grandchildren and teaching them the lessons of life.
His grandson, Brad Ferguson, tells it like this: “I was very fortunate to be born and raised just three miles from my grandparents Elmo and Delma Powell. I spent many days and nights with Elmo and he had a great impact on my life growing up as a child. He was a man who was always there for me with a smile on his face, ready to swap some stories. He was a man who cared more about his family than anything in this world.”
“I do have to tell you that Papa (Elmo) was a good man and one of the best men I know. Just before he died, I came in early from an oil rig in the gulf to get to Oklahoma to spend some time with him, as his time on this earth was limited.
“My father had sat down with him to get all of his expenses in line so that Delma would be taken care of after he was gone. One of the items on the list was a brand new Ford Expedition that he had just bought and was very proud of. He knew he would have to sell it, so I wrote him a check for it and drove the Expedition back to Gulfport, MS, where I was living at the time.
“After his death, each time I would get in that car, I would be reminded of Elmo and know that he was there with me. An interesting story on that note: My wife and I had just had our second child when Hurricane Katrina was aiming her sights towards the Mississippi Gulf Coast. My mother and mother-in-law from Kansas City were both in Gulfport to see the new baby. The day my wife and child were released from the hospital, we packed up Elmo’s Expedition and evacuated to Oklahoma. Papa was there with all of us in that car helping us reach safety.
“That expedition … has many miles on it but holds strong memories of Elmo. My wife and two children ride every day in Papa’s Expedition, and I have comfort with them on the streets in Houston, knowing Papa is riding and watching over them.”
His funeral was held the day before 9/11, and his granddaughter Crissy McKay says of that day, “The church was packed! Filled with people who wanted to show their respect for a respectable man. This farm boy worked hard, lived a life of honor, and grew into the perfect example of what a son, father, and grandfather should be. He was a true American hero. I could not be more proud of my Papa. If I die only half the person he was, I will be grateful. God has blessed me so much with the life of my grandfather.”
Soldiers like Elmo Powell come home and somehow put the war behind them to carry on for those who don’t come home. They work hard to raise families, make a difference in their communities, and leave a legacy for generations to come.
Men like Elmo don’t think they’ve done anything exceptional. They don’t overcome the horrors of war to love and support their families above all else for the rewards they expect to receive, and they don’t earn medals for their effort. But maybe in the end, they’re the most heroic of all.
