Refugio County Press (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 10, 2011 Page: 1 of 18
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Kenda Nelson photo
Ofelia "OP" Valle of Refugio was a teen when her 20-year-old husband, Eloy, was killed in an
ambush in Vietnam before their daughter, Evonne Rachelle Valle, was born. Lingering at his name
on the Healing Wall, OP takes consolation knowing he will never be forgotten.
Burn ban restored
By KENDA NELSON
Editor, County Press
The drought index
inched into the extreme
drought category last
week prompting the com-
missioners court to rein-
state the burn ban for 90
days.
The court issued the
ban during an emergency
meeting on Friday.
“The ban was lifted
briefly and gave the
ranchers a small window
of opportunity to burn off
their brush piles,” said
Chief Deputy Sheldon
Wiginton. “But without
rain coming in with the
northers and low humid-
ity, we expect the drought
index to continue to rise.”
Wiginton said the coun-
ty dodged the bullet sever-
al times by quelling blazes
that could have gone wild.
He credits quick reactions
from passers-by and dili-
gence by the fire depart-
ments.
“A truck driver’s drive
shaft caused three big
fires, in the bar ditch and
in the median,” Wiginton
said. “By the time we got
there, passers-by stomped
it out before it had time
to spread... it could have
been bad with the high
winds.”
If rain doesn’t come
soon, Wiginton said this
drought could surpass the
drought of record in the
1950s. With a La Nina
predicted, the winter
doesn’t hold good pros-
pects, Wiginton said.
With the burn ban in
place, people caught burn-
ing outdoors could face
citations and fines.
Wiginton asked resi-
dents to be vigilant in
reporting fires.
“Don’t burn trash and
if you see smoke, report
it quickly before any-
thing gets out of hand,”
Wiginton said.
Commissioner Gary
Bourland presided over
Tuesday’s meeting in
the absence of County
Judge Rene Mascorro.
Commissioner Stanley
Tuttle was also absent.
Vietnam War widow
finds peace at the Wall
By KENDA NELSON
Editor, County Press
REFUGIO — A somber peace fell
over the shaded grounds of the commu-
nity center after the ceremonies ended
Saturday afternoon.
Visitors continued to search the
58,202 names on The Vietnam Wall
that Heals during its stay in Refugio.
The crowd began to thin. Under the
cool, blue sky, several people lingered,
including Ofelia “OP” Valle of Refugio.
Standing at the wall, OP traced a
name etched in the shiny black surface
with her finger. Tears spilled over the
corners of her eyes.
“After 41 years, I still feel the pain,”
she said softly, apologizing for her emo-
tions. “I’m lucky I’m not completely
crazy by now.”
This gentle lady, well known across
the community since she was a school
crossing guard, has shouldered grief
silently for decades.
With the Wall as a backdrop, OP
unveiled a tragedy largely unknown.
Her husband, Eloy Ruben Valle, was
killed on July 20, 1970, in an ambush
(See Valle, 12A)
Austwell will celebrate
centennial Friday on
Veterans Day
AUSTWELL — Austwell will cel-
ebrate its 100th year as an incorpo-
rated town Friday on Veterans Day at
Wilson Heard Park Pavilion.
“Come join us as we celebrate 100
years!” said Mayor David Cann.
“Bring a lawn chair and plan to spend
the day.”
During the Centennial Celebration,
the town will also honor all the coun-
ty veterans, fire departments, first
responders and the sheriffs depart-
ment.
Gospel and patriotic singers and
choirs will provide entertainment
throughout the afternoon with a dance
scheduled for the evening.
See schedule of events on Page 2A.
Veterans pay tribute to fallen comrades
By KENDA NELSON
Editor, County Press
REFUGIO — Following
a chance meeting half-
way around the world in
one of the bloodiest bat-
tles of the Vietnam War,
Joe Galloway and Vince
Cantu became brothers of
war.
On Saturday, both
returned to their home-
town of Refugio as guests
of VFW Post 6290.
Outdoors on the grounds
of the community center
with the Vietnam Wall
in view of the stage,
renowned author and war
correspondent Galloway
followed Cantu at the
podium.
Deaths
Lola Jay Berry
Elton David Coward Jr.
Marvin Grimes
James Perry Larde
Frank J. Scanio Jr.
Joe P. Martinez
Gladys Larphine Kenne
Index
Classifieds
Community
Church
Obits
Sports
Page 1B
Page 5 A
Page 6 A
Page 2A
Page 10 A
Galloway’s account of
the la Drang Valley battle
and his picture of Cantu
on the battlefield changed
Cantu’s life.
“I became a better man,”
Cantu told the crowd. “I
don’t know why the good
Lord spared me. He put
me through hell.”
After his survival
against all odds, Cantu
said the good Lord was
trying to teach him a les-
son — “don’t take advan-
tage of people and act a
fool.”
Music and his Rockin’
Dominoes Band put the
musician in the limelight,
right up until the time he
was drafted and sent to
Vietnam.
“I’ve never broken the
law, never stolen any-
(See Hundreds, 3A)
Kenda Nelson photo
Vietnam veterans from across South Texas join Joe Galloway, Vince Cantu and the survivors of la Drang Valley to place a wreath at
the apex of the Vietnam Healing Wall that VFW Post 6290 sponsored at the Community Center in Refugio from Nov. 24-27.
Briefs
Relay for Life
The 2011 Joe Barber
Relay for Life of Refugio
County kicks off
Saturday, Nov. 12, with a
reception and Survivors
Dinner. Following the
dinner, the first walk
around the track will
begin a night of festivi-
ties and entertainment
at the Refugio County
Fairgrounds.
Book signing
The Bayside Historical
Society, 1204 First
Street, will host a book
signing Saturday, Nov.
12, with Max Oliver,
author of “Cries of the
Heart.”
RES meeting
Refugio Elementary
PTA will meet on Nov.
15, at 6 p.m. in the caf-
eteria.
OCA meeting
The Oakwood
Cemetery Association
will meet on Monday,
Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at the
city hall.
The group has much to
discuss as planning and
building a new gazebo
will be presented for con-
sideration.
A workday has been
set for Saturday, Nov.
19, from 8 a.m. until 12
p.m. Please bring tools
to the workday.
Playoff T-shirts
Refugio High School
will sell Bobcat football
playoff T-shirts begin-
ning Nov. 14, through
Greenhouse Cleaners.
RISD gifted and
talented meeting
Parents interested in
the gifted and talented
program at Refugio ISD
are invited to attend
a meeting on Monday,
Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. in the
RHS library.
4- H clover kids
meeting
Refugio County 4-H
Clover Kids, for children
5- 7, will meet Thursday,
Nov.17, from 5:30-6:30
p.m. at the Refugio
Elementary Pre-K class-
room.
For information con-
tact Amy Neel atw 361-
649-1131.
RCFA meeting
Refugio County Fair
Association will meet
Monday, Nov. 21, at 7
p.m. at Padilla Hall.
Regional Public
Health Coalition
meeting
June Love announced
the Regional Coalition
will meet at 2 p.m. on
Dec. 1, at the Refugio
County Courthouse, in
the commissioners court
room.
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Nelson, Kenda. Refugio County Press (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 10, 2011, newspaper, November 10, 2011; Refugio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth740393/m1/1/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library.