This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the December 20, 2012 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.

             December 7^th marked the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that drew America into World War II.  Now, seventy-one years later we remember all those thousands of American sailors who were killed in the surprise attack.  One of the sunken ships, the USS Arizona, which serves as a final resting place for over 1,000 sailors, was marked with a white concrete and steel structure that now serves as a national memorial for our lost servicemen. This memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1962 and is visited by many thousands of visitors each year. 

            Jimmie Allen has cause to remember this date.  As a youngster in 1941 he overheard a storekeeper in Salyersville tell of the Pearl Harbor attack.  He immediately went home to tell his family and his mother circled the date on the calendar that hung in their home.  Jimmie has kept this calendar intact all these years and brought it in to our historical society to show on this December 7, 2012.

            A few days earlier we had the pleasure of having Bruce and Jo Stephens of Hazard, KY visiting our library looking for some genealogical information.  Bruce’s military story is a part of the last volume of our Salute to Veteran’s set of books that we have been working to complete.  Bruce tells in his story about hearing of the Pearl Harbor attack and how everyone rushed to enlist in military service.  Bruce was too young at the time but later enlisted at the beginning of 1943. 

            Other great stories about those Pearl Harbor days are also included in these books.  Alene Allen of Salyersville, daughter of Willie and Sallie (Wallen) Shepherd contributed a story about her brother, Earl.  Their friend and neighbor Bal Whitt lost a son, Byron Whitt at Pearl Harbor and his body was never recovered.

            In this book Johnnie Shepherd’s story of his military service also tells of his friendship with Byron’s brother Forest who was also later a war casualty.  Johnnie, who died just this year, was the husband of Jacqueline Warrix and the son of Frank and Ella Mae (Wireman) Shepherd.

            Our friend and contributor Lorrene Waddle of Waynesfield, OH sent the story of her uncle, Wilkie “Haddie” Shepherd, the son of Sam and Cora Shepherd. Haddie was stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack.

            As you can see, Magoffin County has a strong attachment to this infamous date.  William Bryon Whitt who was a Gunner’s Mate in the US Navy assigned to the USS Arizona is one of those whose remains were never recovered.  Bruce and Jo Stephens brought pictures to us of the memorial which are also included in our veteran’s book.  It is astounding to read the stories of the experiences of our Magoffin County people who have served as members of the military. 

            The mail always brings us some interesting material and it was certainly so this week.  A nice big package arrived from Janice Parshall of Middletown, OH containing a wonderful collection of genealogical material on the descendants of the Abraham Keeton family.  One notebook is devoted to Abraham and Rebecca (McGuire) Keeton’s grandson Dorsey Keeton.  Included are genealogy charts, pictures, news clippings, letters, as well as personal remembrances.  We appreciate so much Ms. Parshall’s contribution and we know that many others who are interested in the Keeton and allied families will benefit from her material.  We will be including portions of her material in our Journals as well as other publications. 

            Down through the years, so many people have generously shared their genealogy research with us.  In turn, we have shared with many thousands of those interested in Magoffin County via in-house meetings, handwritten letters, our publications and quarterly Journals and lately through email and the Internet.  From time to time, we look back through our sign-in book here at the historical society and marvel at seeing all the names of our many visitors and all the places they came from to visit us here in Salyersville. 

As you are aware, our printed material is what keeps our historical society and Pioneer Village open and operating.  As we look to the beginning of a new year we are very aware of the need for some new avenues to explore to continue our work. We are finishing up our 35^th year as an organization and our 34^th year of sponsoring Magoffin County Founders Days and printing our Journal.  We have stated many times before that we are pleased with what we have been able to accomplish in preserving the history and genealogy of our area but, at the same time, we feel we have just touched the “tip of the iceberg”.  We need your help and input during this coming year.

The season of Christmas is uppermost in most everyone’s mind at this time and it is a time of reflection for us here at the home-twenty as we think of all that has happened in the past year and wonder about the future.  Your greetings boost our spirits and remind all of us the “reason for the season”.  We wish all of you a blessed and peaceful Christmas!