Independence!

A tribute to my ancestors who fought for our independence:
George Tubb, Sr.
William Tubb, brother
    George Tubb, son of William
Alexander Davidson

Happy Birthday to The United States of America

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
This poem and music says it all…from this blogger’s heart!

And, a thank you to my sister, Mrs. Katherine E. Davis who has done such a job great researching. There are more who served but we are still seeking proof!

God Bless America!

Memorial Day, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day is set aside to honor the memory of those who paid the ultimate price to preserve their beliefs and defend the United States. Some were called by our country to fight and some did not wait but, volunteered with pride to serve this great country.

Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of the times during World War II. 

I remember my grandmother proudly hanging the Mothers’ Blue Star Flags in the front window.   There were three.  My grandfather put together a huge world puzzle, glued it to paper and hung it on a bedroom wall.  He stuck pins in the map tracking the war and locations of his three sons.

Then one day, there were two blue-star flags and one gold-star flag hanging in the front window.

 

Thomas Davis Perry was born on September 26, 1912, the fourth of 11 children born to Robert Pierce Perry III and Mary Frances (Frank) Tubb Perry.  At age 32, my Uncle Davis was already a successful, licensed concessionaire traveling with his carnival of rides, concessions, games, and shows throughout the Midwest and Southeast.

I was very young, but remember the excitement when his carnival came to Birmingham. I remember the chalk Kewpie dolls he gave us and most of all his silver Airstream trailer when parked in Mama & Papa Perry’s driveway.  I don’t remember the car, but I think it was a convertible.  During his travels he met Erna Estelle Sutton in Missouri.  I’ve always thought their meeting and marriage was very romantic (clearly illustrated in their letters to each other). After the war, Erna lived with us for a time before she moved back to Missouri.  I would sit and listen intently while she talked to Mother over a cup of coffee. I think that’s why I enjoy sitting around the kitchen table with friends or family, talking over a cup of coffee, even now.

The family called him Davis, but Erna called him Tom. Evidently, the carnival was playing in her town and they met. Since the carnival was seldom in one place for very long, they didn’t know each other very well, but it must have been “love at first sight.”  Over a meal one day before he left, he asked, “How would you like to do a lot of traveling, not have to do any house-keeping and live an exciting life?” She replied, “I’d like that.” He then said, “Well, marry me.”  He went on to the next town and wrote to her asking that she trust him and have faith in him …  that he would send for her soon.  They were married on January 22, 1940. Little did they know they would have such a few, short years together.

On November 6, 1944, Pvt. Thomas Davis Perry, Sr. was killed in the line of duty in France, leaving behind his beautiful wife, Erna, their daughter Erna Lea Perry and their son Thomas Davis Perry, Jr.,

grieving parents, nine brothers and sisters and their children. After Davis’ death, his youngest brother, Leo, who was too young for the military, left school and joined the United States Navy Construction Battalions (CBs) known as the SeaBees. His brother Robert continued to serve in the Pacific and his brother John served with General Patton for the duration of the war. He is not forgotten. Will not be forgotten.

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Memorial Day began as a day to recognize those who died in the single bloodiest war in American history: the Civil War. The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day and many states and organizations take credit for its existence. Decoration Day got its name from the efforts of southern women decorating the graves of Confederate soldiers not long after the end of the Civil War. 

On this Memorial Day of 2010, I wish to honor my great-great grandfather,  2nd Sgt. George Washington Tubb, Company A, 8th Alabama Infantry, who fought at the Siege of Yorktown, April 5, 1862, was severely wounded at Williamsburg, May 5 1862 and wounded again at Seven Pines. He died June 10, 1862 in Virginia.

I would also like to honor Felix Tubb, eldest son of George W. and Mary Ann Massey Tubb, who was wounded and died  May 1865. Felix was buried at sea.

Although writing  commemorates Memorial Day for those who gave their lives during battle,  I would like to honor my great-great grandmother, Mary Ann Massey Tubb. She gave birth to seven children, three of which died at very young ages. She  lost her husband and first child during the Civil War. My great grandfather, George Martin Tubb, the youngest child was eight months old when his father died.  Mary Ann Massey Tubb raised her children alone and died in July of 1925 at the age of 97. Her strength and courage throughout her life clearly influenced her descendents.