Smith County Historical Society photo of Camp Fannin (Contributed photo)

From Staff Reports

A memorial service will be held this weekend to honor Camp Fannin, a World War II training camp that opened near Tyler in May 1943. The Camp Fannin Association Board of Directors has announced that it will host the 81st Memorial Reunion for Camp Fannin on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13.

Camp Fannin was named in honor of the hero of Goliad, Colonel James Walker Fannin. It was located northeast of Tyler. In March 1943, Camp Fannin was officially dedicated as a U.S. Army Infantry Replacement Training Center.

On Friday, the events will take place at Sleep Inn, at 5555 Donnybrook Avenue behind Lowe’s. There will be a reception and displays on exhibit at the Hospitality Rose Room at 3 p.m. Then there will be a barbecue dinner for reunion guests at 6 p.m., also at the Hospitality Rose Room.

As an added attraction, a patriotic quilt that was donated by Jerriann Massey with Christian Quilt Guild of East Texas to raise funds for the Camp Fannin Association will be on display. Tickets will be sold at the registration desk for $10 per chance from this registration sheet and during the annual reunion.

On Saturday, the events will be held on the campus of UT Tyler Health Science Center. Parking will be designated by event parking signs.

There will be a Board of Directors meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Academic Building H in room 105 with coffee, orange juice, and refreshments.

The special memorial service on Saturday will begin at 11 a.m. in the President’s Event Center. At approximately 1 p.m., a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the bronze soldier statue in the Camp Fannin Association Memorial Plaza. Carts will be provided if needed.

The keynote speaker will be Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jim Ray, pilot of an F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber in the Vietnam War, and a POW for over six and a half years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

After repatriation, Col. Ray flew AT-38’s and F-4-D&E Phantom jet fighters. His Pentagon tour was as Director of International Logistics in support of the Republic of Korea; and he served three years as a diplomatic Attache in the U.S. embassy in Rome, Italy. He retired from his 27-year career as Commander of an Air Force Technical Training Wing.

Although the event is free to the public, seating is limited. All military veterans and their families are invited to attend. To reserve a seat, please email the Camp Fannin Association at campfannintexas@yahoo.com or call 903-592-3724.

Also, visit the new Camp Fannin Exhibits at the American Freedom Museum, South of Tyler at 1051 North Houston Street in Bullard. For additional information, please visit their website — www.americanfreedom.museum.org.