Brownsburg Veterans Honored

Asbury Church Sponsors Wreath Laying Event

Wreaths were laid at the gravesites of African American soldiers who served their country in wars throughout the 20th century during a Dec. 22 ceremony in the cemetery of Asbury United Methodist Church in Brownsburg.

The traditionally African American church and cemetery are set on a hillside overlooking the northern Rockbridge village. The observance was part of the Wreaths Across America program intended to show veterans and their families that the nation remembers and honors all veterans and to teach the next generation to do the same. A Wreaths Across America event at Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington had been held earlier in the month.

In his opening remarks in Brownsburg, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Vern Lochausen told the gathering on the sunny but chilly Sunday that these veterans not only faced the terror of combat, “but also had to overcome discrimination, closed doors and opportunity and lack of respect for who they were and what they could do.”

The event was sponsored by the trustees of Asbury Church. Descendants of the veterans who were recognized were on hand to participate in placing the wreaths. They were individually escorted by local retired military personnel, some in full uniform, as well as by church trustees, as they placed the fresh wreaths accented with red bows and American flags on the gravestones.

“The cemetery dedication was wonderful, respectful and honest,” said Louis Brown afterwards. Brown recently lost his wife Betty Brown, who served for years as a postmaster in Brownsburg and was the honorary mayor of the village for many years. “I’m sure my wife Betty would have enjoyed it as well. “

World War I veterans buried in the Asbury Church cemetery that were remembered included Army veteran Charles Henry Porter, who served with the expeditionary force in France under Gen John J. Pershing; Pvt. Roy Stewart of the 808th Pioneer Infantry Regiment; Pvt. 1st Class Samuel Carter, who served with the Company 867 of the Transportation Corps; Pvt. Oscar Lee Oliver, who served with Company C, 449 Reserve; Pvt. 1st Class William F. Brown of the 338th Infantry Regiment, part of the 85th Infantry Division; Pvt. Glasgow Pleasants of the 35th Construction Company; Pvt. Robert S. Shoulz of the 155th Depot Brigade; and Pvt. 1st Class Harry Holtz.

World War II veterans remembered during the wreath laying ceremony included Pvt. Sidney Jones who served in Company E-10 in the Pioneer Infantry Division; Pvt. James Andrew Kinnear of the 593rd Base Unit of the Army Air Corps; Pvt. 1st Class Glasgow W. Brown; and Charles Richard Porterfield. Navy veterans from that war who were recognized were Seaman 2nd Class Frank Estis Oliver, who was killed in action on Jan. 30, 1944, at 19 years old; and Wilson Mackerally Porterfield Sr.

The final resting place of Sgt. Charles W. Carter, who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam, was marked with a wreath, as well as that of Vietnam veteran Sgt. 1st Class Charles Pleasants. A wreath was also placed at the grave of Cpl. Clarence Grant Pleasants, who saw service in Korea as part of the Air Force.

Military chaperones escorting descendants of those honored to place the wreaths were retired Navy Rear Adm. Greg Shear, retired Army Col. Mark Bryant; retired Air Force Lt. Col. Bob Hopkins; retired Navy Cmdr. Rich Hastings; and Retired Air Force Sgt. Fred Whipple.

“In my 25 years of naval service spanning Vietnam and the Cold War, I saw great strides in equal opportunity and treatment of all Americans, but we have more to do,” Lochausen concluded in his remarks. “These men of Brownsburg fought to be recognized as the Americans they were and then served alongside fellow Americans to ensure the peaceful future of generations to come.”