November 2022

Clifford C. Rorex was born at Swifton, Arkansas on March 23, 1919. He graduated from Swifton High School and Arkansas State College with a degree in Vocational Agriculture. While at Arkansas State he was a “walk-on” in basketball (3-year lettermen) and enrolled in ROTC. After graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and went on active duty. He served in World War II from 19411945, Clifford was assigned to the 793rd FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (a 155 mm GUN Bn, motorized) formed March 14, 1943, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Captain. Later, the 155s were replaced by the self-propelled 8” Howitzer. The Battalion trained at Ft, Bragg and Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, then participated in training in the Tennessee Maneuver Area around Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They were moved to Camp Kilmer, N.J. in April 1944 in preparation for overseas movement to the European Theater of War. On April 18, 1944, after crossing the Atlantic by boat, they landed at Badminton, England and then moved to Guttleton Summer Tent Camp Wiltshire, England for training. The Battalion was then transferred to Vicinity Camp Knook (Salisbury Plain, England) for anticiapted arrival on the Normandy Beachhead on D-13 (June 19th). After several delays they arrived at Normandy on June 2527, 1944. On June 26, 1944, the 793rd Battalion fired the Battalion’s first rounds in registering on a target near the St Lo - La Luzerne Road junction. On July 13th the outfit moved forward to support the 29th and 35th Divisions in their attack on St Lo. From this point until the first of September activities were taken up entirely by moving forward, setting up, and firing, and moving forward again. During this period the Battalion supported the 2nd Armored in the capture of Elbeuf and the securing of a bridgehead across the Seine. On September 1st the 793d moved into a rendezvous area to remain until such time as heavy artillery was needed. On September 19th and 20th, the Battalion

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4556 and the American Legion Post #6 will conduct its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, November 11, at 11 a.m. on the Randolph County Courthouse lawn. Also participating in the ceremony will be members of the auxiliaries of the local American Legion and VFW Post. Master of ceremonies will be Eddie Jones. The guest speaker will be Lee Willard from John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.

The Pocahontas School Board a five percent salary increase and bonuses for school employees at its regular monthly meeting, at 7 p.m. on Oct.

Michelle Teel defeated Sarah Dunlap to win the office of Pocahontas City Clerk following the November 8 election. Teel received 833 votes to Dunlap’s 685.

Together We Foster (TWF) is in the beginning stages of opening a new establishment in Pocahontas to “ease the transition” for foster children, their biological families, and foster families. The non-profit opened a visiting center within the TWF Randolph County Resource Center located on 1304 Pace Rd.