SERVICE HONORS PVT. JACK DENNIS

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St. Lawrence Youth Killed in Action in France March 15

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    At impressive services held last Sunday afternoon in the Community church of St. Lawrence, tribute was paid to the memory of Pvt. Durwood E. "Jack" Dennis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Dennis, who was killed in action on March 15 in Eastern France.

    Rev. N. A. Luke was in charge of the service.  Members of the American Legion and V.F.W. posts attended the service in a group, aprticipating in the memorial.  Tributes were paid by Willis Hall, V.F.W. commander and Sam Kelley, commander of the St. Lawrence Legion.  A quartet composed of Mrs. Fae Thompson, Mrs. Neal Bridenbaugh, Vern Danburg and L. B. Hightshoe, sang, with Mrs. L. C. Danielson accompnaying.

    The presentation of the flag was made to Mrs. Dennis, as Taps were played by Darrel Schwartz.

    Out-of-town relatives attending the service were Mrs. Irene Dennis of Huron, grandmother of Pvt. Dennis, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Dennis of Huron, and Mrs. Esther Dennis and children of Redfield.

    The following letter from Capt. Charles W. Arbuthnot, army chaplain, was read at the service:

    As chaplain of the unit in which your son served so well I want to tell you the circumstances of his death.  I realize I cannot ever attempt to allay your sorrow, but as spiritual advisor to the men Durwood was one of "my boys" and his friends and I share your loss.

    Here is an extract from the official narrative of your son's death.  Pvt. Dennis was a rifleman in Company "A."  On 15 March, 1945, his platoon crossed a bridge near a village in Eastern France.  Two enemy machine guns opened cross fire, and when Pvt. Dennis reached level ground after crossing the bridge, he was struck and killed instantly.

    After Durwood's death he was interred with a fitting ceremony by a Protestant chaplain.  We all stand humbly with heads bowed before this soldierly example of the supreme sacrifice for a cause that must and will survive.  To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.

    Our Father who giveth life and returneth it unto Himself, has been faithful and present to Durwood; and I hope that your courage, though tested, may be deepend and strengthened with the assurance of the resurrection of all faithful souls in Christ.

    Sincerely yours,
    Charles W. Arbuthnot, Jr.
    Chaplain (Captain) USA

    Pvt. Durwood E. Dennis was born in Wessington, S.D., February 8, 1925.

    He attended school in St. Lawrence for twelve years, graduating in 1944 with the class of boys who answered the call to the armed forces, early in the year.  During high school he was prominent in athletics, music and county and state 4-H club work and Boy Scout work.

    He was a member of the Community church of St. Lawrence, and through the years, had been active in Sunday school and Christian Endeavor.

    Jack was inducted into the army at Fort Snelling in March, 1944, and later was sent to Camp Roberts, Calif.  Following his basic, he had training at Fort Benning, Ga., in mechanics.

    Early in December 1944 he had a furlough with his family and friends at home before going to a port of embarkation in the east.  On January 1st he was sent overseas to serve in the infantry in France.

    He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Dennis, a brother, Donald, and a sister, Mrs. Patricia Kerkoff.