Black Mountain's Past
Remembering the veterans of the Swannanoa valley
Wendell Begley
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
November 10, 2023
As each Veterans Day comes and goes, we are reminded of those individuals that left a memorable legacy for the Swannanoa Valley. In one way or another, every generation is touched with its own heroes. In this week’s series, I share some special memories honoring those heroes. Heroes that continue to be remembered by family members, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. They were “our” American Soldiers. This coming Saturday, as we observe Veterans Day, I felt it a most appropriate time to honor the memory and spirit of a few special veterans from the Valley’s past. Their legacy of courage, valor and service to country reflects upon the many that went off to fight in America’s wars.
“Our own Andy Andrews” (1923-2016)
Andy experienced 26 combat ground battles from 1944 to 1945 and received four Bronze Stars and four Purple Hearts. Many times I heard Andy say, “There is no glory in war.” Among Andy’s many community roles, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Black Mountain Savings. Andy was my friend for 50 years. What a role model and mentor he was for all of us!
Marcus Lafayette “Fate” Burnett (1844-1933)
Fate’s grandfather, Frederick Burnett was the first settler in the upper North Fork Valley. In 1861, Fate enlisted at the age of 17. He fought in many of the major campaigns of the South. He returned home in 1865, never wounded or captured. He was one of the Valley’s earliest war heroes. Fate said, “I never surrendered. I just came home to await General Lee’s recall.” Fate lost five brothers to America’s bloodiest war.
Dr. Frank Howard Richardson (1883-1970)
He was a decorated veteran of World War I. Besides being well known for his service to country, Dr. Richardson became a nationally acclaimed pediatrician and writer. He was one of the first American authors to write books on childhood behavior and hygiene. Dr. Richardson served Black Mountain as a town alderman for eleven years. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Black Mountain Savings.
Richard B. “Dick” Stone (1925-1998)
At the age of 17, after graduating from Swannanoa High, Mr. Stone entered the Army and served valiantly in the European Theater during World War II. He acquired many medals for gallantry in battle, including two purple hearts. While serving in the Infantry, he earned the rank of Captain. After service, Mr. Stone graduated from Wake Forest University with a law degree. During the early 1950s, when my Dad and Finley Stepp formed Valley Realty & Insurance Co., Mr. Stone shared an office with them. Their office was located at the corner of State Street and Church Street. Mr. Stone was one of my father’s closest friends. Mr. Stone practiced law in Black Mountain for 46 years. He was Black Mountain’s longest serving Mayor (1957-1975). Mr. Stone also served as a Board Member and Director of Black Mountain Savings.
Frank Ford (1929-1999)
Frank came to Black Mountain in the early 1950s with his young bride Dorsie. He arrived in Black Mountain after pulling duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Frank barbered in Black Mountain for almost 47 years. Frank knew everyone’s pedigree, especially the glitter and tarnish. He had stories on all of us. Frank had a simple, common sense “practical” approach to most all of life’s problems. Solutions came easy for Frank. When Frank passed away in 1999, his funeral was the most touching I have ever attended. Kenny, David and Benji are remembered sons of Frank and Dorsie.
Wesley Melton (1950-1970)
Wesley went off to service right after graduating from Owen High School in 1968. All of us believed if anyone would return from Vietnam, Wesley would. He had a keen sense and passion for the outdoors. No one could out-hunt or out-fish Wesley. We grew up together at the foot of Sunset Mountain and Camp Branch as good friends. Wesley was killed in action on June 18, 1970, in a swamp on the other side of the world. I remember Wesley every time I pass his mother’s house and see Betty Jean’s flag proudly displayed as a remembrance to her oldest son.
Marcus Fred Begley (1915-1989)
During the summer of 1970, while going to college in Tennessee, word came much too often from my dad— pictured kneeling along with his brothers and father in this 1943 photo above—also a World War II veteran, telling of another classmate that had been wounded or killed in Vietnam. One of Dad’s letters I always remembered spoke honorably of America’s fallen soldiers. After hearing of Wesley’s death, Dad’s letter recounted a short written tribute that had been given to him by one of his superior officers during World War II. The tribute was passed to him right after hearing his brother Wallace (far right) had been killed in action. Dad said the words had meant a lot to him and knew they would hold special meaning for me.
So, as we celebrate and remember our Veterans this Saturday, I chose to rewrite the tribute Dad sent to Me over fifty-three years ago, in the summer of 1970 (see below).
In the many times I have photographed the Veterans Cemetery on Old U.S. 70, I often remember the eloquent words and tribute passed on to me. I leave them for this week’s readers as we reflect upon and honor America’s fallen heroes … Our Veterans.
“…We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue … We must remember these dead did not die in vain. We can do them no greater honor than to keep alive that which they gave their lives to preserve; love of country, duty, honor, and defense of the right as it is given to us to see the right …”
Black Mountain Savings Bank
P.O. Box 729 • 200 E. State Street • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • 1.828.669.7991
“We are One of America's Oldest FDIC Insured Banks, Specializing in Home Loans and Savings Deposits in the Valley for Over 100 Years."”
Copyright: M. Wendell Begley, series 860, VE1, November 11, 2023
