Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do/

Do not wait to shed your light afar/

To the many duties ever near you now be true/

Brighten the corner where you are."

--Lyrics to "Brighten the Corner Where you Are"" by Charles Gabriel, Paul Mickelson, and Ina Duley Ogden

Memorial Day.

In this special episode, Down Trails of Victory podcast pays tribute to the 1.3 million military men and women who gave their lives defending the United States by telling the story of one of its heroes: Colonel Bobby Gene Vinson of Nederland, Texas.

Bobby Vinson's story takes on a further meaning because he was listed as "Missing in Action" during and after his service in Vietnam, a designation held by over 82,000 service men and women from World War II until the present.

Joining Buck and Brad in telling this incredible story is Bobby Vinson's son-in-law Dr. Mark Harper, Commander US Navy (Retired); and Bobby Vinson's friend and fellow fighter pilot Colonel William "Bill" Keith, US Air Force (Retired), who served with him in Vietnam.

The podcast will pay tribute to Colonel Vinson's school year accomplishments in Nederland; his achievements at West Point; his family; and his heroics as a fighter pilot in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

It will also call attention to the historic advocacy of his wife Joan Vinson, who from her courageous role as National Coordinator for the League of Families from 1969 - 1973 led to today's most visible symbol of American POWs and MIAs: the POW/MIA flag.

Local names and military heroes mentioned in the podcast include Russ Devillier, Red Wilkerson, Walter "Buddy" Davis, I B Griffith, Vernon Butler, J L Redd, Percy Baker, William R Clark, Harry Doornbos, Edward Hughes, Harold Knowles, Henry Broussard, Lester Clotiaux, Martin Ener, George Jones, Kermit Carter, Louis Docken, R B Gregory, Charles Kenmedge, Paul Ritchie, Charles Rowland, Richard Roy, J D Savoy Jr, Louis H Smith, Kenneth Robert Speer, Clarence Peterson, Christopher Ancelet, James Pat Ferguson, James George Howard Jr, William Terrel McNair, John Carnul Myatt, Arvin Douglas Pennell, Anthony R Maddox, and Bruce Churan, among others.

Other names and military heroes mentioned in the podcast include Woodrow Wilson Parker, Chuck Vinson, Robbie Vinson, Vickie Vinson, Laura Vinson Harper, Red Blake, Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, Art Schroeder, Winfield "Skip" Scott, Charlie Gabriel, Michael Harper, and Michael Blassie, among others.

May God bless the heroes that we salute on Memorial Day.

"YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN."

Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

"Running on empty (running on)/

Running blind (running on)/

Running into the sun/

But I'm running behind."

--Lyrics to "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne

Dr. William Fermo and his brother Dr. Jeremy Fermo are "all in" on delivering incredible running experiences to runners and communities in Southeast Texas.

Since launching their "3 Bros Running Company" in 2022, the brothers have quickly become one of the most recognized and sought-after race organizers in the region.

In this episode of Down Trails of Victory podcast, Buck and Wanda Carole visit with the two Nederland High School graduates, and talk with them about numerous topics, including:

• Why they went "all in" on a business devoted to races;
• Key elements to their company's success;
• Their extraordinarily successful 5K events in Port Neches and Orange;
• "Destination races," and why they are important to the hosting community;
• Their prolific use of social media;
• Why running is good for everyone;
• Their plans for 2025--and beyond;
• and much, much, more!

The podcast brings up quite a few names from Southeast Texas and the running community, including John Walk, Allen Wrinkle, Glenn Johnson, Phil Brannan, Lauren Leigh, Meb Keflezighi, Desiree Linden, ...and more!

Runners may always run behind the sun, but their dreams forever draw them forward in their pursuit of it...

Listen to these two runners' dreams...

Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

So here's to you/May your dreams come true/
May old father time/Never be unkind/
And through the years/Save your smiles and your tears/
They're just souvenirs/They'll make music in your heart.../
--Lyrics to "My Best to You," by Isham Jones and Gene Willaden

The Indianettes have been an iconic figure in the tradition of Port Neches-Groves High School since their first appearance in 1951.

In this episode of Down Trails of Victory podcast, Buck and Wanda Carole visit with four former Indianettes whose high school terms span the years 1951 - 1973:

• Latretta Young Walker--one of the original eight Indianettes of 1951, and the only surviving one;
• Jimmie Lou Ford--Class of 1963;
• Tam McCollum Mire--Class of 1970;
• Victoria Beryl Allen--Class of 1973.

Their conversation covers a wide range of topics about those early years, including:

• Stories surrounding the origin of the Indianettes, and that inaugural year of 1951;
• The growth and evolution of the Indianettes over their first 22 years (1951-1973);
• Commentary on the several Indianette directors 1951 - 1973;
• Commentary on the Indianettes' relationship with the Indian Band;
• Discussion on the Indianettes' relationship with PN-G Football;
• Indianette involvement with other events and activities;
• Information about the Indianette Alumni Facebook page;
• and much, much, more!

The podcast brings up a wide range of names from Indianette and PN-G history, including Lynne James, Beth Guidry Terrell, Jamie Rohe, Frank Gioviale, Irene Ford, Jennifer Terrell, Jean Babb Cowles, Patsy Cox Jones, Doris Davis Bailey, Shirley Jones Havard, Beverly Rogers Hawk, Paula Sory Lee, Thomasine Ward Jones, Micky and Phil Spenser, Dalton Fox, Dottie Meents, Peggy Dockery, Janyce Martin Braswell, Phyllis Larrabee, Ann Monzingo, Judy Massey Childress, Rebecca Swofford Walker, Carol Jones, Albert Long, Mark Williams, Sammy Almany, Lila Long, Harry Charles, Mary Lee Worsham, Gene McCollum, Lewis Ford, Wilford Moore, Bum Phillips, Ken Watson, Cecil Yarbrough, Daphine McCollum, Carol Anne Watson, Jennifer Guidry, Shally Laurents Hollier, Sabrina Dalby, Cortnie Moerbe Schexnaider, Celina Flores Ellis, ...and more!

Other historic personages referred to in the podcast include Slu Hull, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Bear Bryant, Mickey Mantle, and William Shakespeare!

Remember this/Each new day is a kiss/
Sent from above/With an angel's love/
So here's to you/May your skies be blue/
And your love blessed/That's my best to you.

Here's Our Best to You PN-G Indianettes!

Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!