Latest news with #Bagwell
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Reminder of the sacrifice': Veterans, family reflect on Memorial Day
TUPELO — With Memorial Day days away, veterans and families of those who died in service of the United States say it is important to remember the meaning of the holiday and to honor those who gave their lives protecting the country. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was first celebrated in 1868 just a few years after the Civil War. It began as a day for families and friends to decorate the graves of military personnel who died in service. The holiday evolved from there. 'While it is a wonderful weekend to eat hotdogs and hamburgers, at the end of the day, it is a reminder of the sacrifice and those that gave their life,' Lee County Veterans Service Officer Ashleigh Pharr said. Pharr, who joined the Air Force in 2011, served on active duty from her recruitment through 2020 at Ramstein, Germany, and two postings in Alaska. 'Memorial Day stays this solemn occasion,' she said. 'I think of how grateful I am and reflect on those who came before me and made that ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy a wonderful weekend with our families.' While Pharr serves primarily living veterans, her office also helps the families of veterans and those who died, traditionally called Gold Star Families. Donna Bagwell is a member of a Gold Star Family. Her son, Lance Cpl. Marc Lucus Tucker, died in Iraq in 2005 while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. '(Memorial Day) is a day to remember the fallen service members that died serving our country,' Bagwell said. 'I go to the cemetery, spend a little time with Lucas, then go to the Memorial Day program.' Bagwell said she understood the confusion some have between Veterans Day and Memorial Day but said they were both important for different reasons. 'As far as I have been alive, there has been confusion, but I think it is good to keep it separate simply because that is the way it was designated,' she said. 'I was like everybody else. I knew what it was, but it didn't affect me …. It was just a holiday. You could go to the lake and cook out or stay home from work.' On Memorial Day, Bagwell said, many of Tucker's former brothers-in-arms will message her or call to talk to her. Even after two decades, she said the day is still painful for her and for those who served with him. Bagwell added that one of the men who spent time with Tucker as a roommate in Okinawa plans to visit this year. She said she hopes the visit will provide him with some healing. One thing Bagwell said individuals could do this Memorial Day is reach out to a Gold Star Family member. 'If you know a Gold Star Family, reach out to them,' she said. 'Every day is Memorial Day for us.' Ever since veteran Scott Burns left the Marine Corps in 1995, he has made countless efforts to honor fellow veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country. 'It's always been important to me, especially on Memorial Day, to honor veterans that are no longer with us and to remember how they have paid the ultimate sacrifice, which makes it possible for us to keep doing what we're doing as a country,' Burns said. Following an injury that left him a double amputee and no longer able to serve, Burns wanted to give back to veterans and their families. Through his nonprofit organization, 7 Days For The Troops, he has spent almost 19 years addressing the gaps in care and resources that veterans often face. 'When we started back in 2006, we never planned on it being a 19-year endeavor, but we're glad it has turned out that way,' he said. Although Burns was born and raised in Jackson, he moved to Tupelo after he got out of the Marines. He commends Tupelo's strong sense of community when it comes to helping others, specifically veterans. 'I think it's pretty awesome to live in a town where, even though we don't always agree when it comes to politics or how things are being run, when it comes to helping the less fortunate, we're all on the same page," he said.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bagwell earns Diversified Horticulture State FFA Proficiency Award
TULSA, Okla. — Bryce Bagwell of the Byng FFA Chapter earned first-place honors in the 2025 Oklahoma FFA Diversified Horticulture Proficiency Award area during the 99th Oklahoma FFA Convention on May 7. Brandt Allen of the Dickson FFA Chapter and Austen Lindenfelser of the Erick FFA Chapter earned second- and third-place honors, respectively. Bagwell raises poinsettias and has worked for Bagwell Mowing Service for three summers. For Bagwell Mowing Service, he uses a zero-turn mower and STIHL weed trimmer to mow lawns, maintain equipment, and contact new clients. Bagwell also owns a poinsettia business. He uses the Byng FFA greenhouse to produce his Winter Rose poinsettias, selling 120 in 2024. 'I made a point to ask questions and conduct additional research outside of my scheduled hours to ensure that I fully understood all aspects of obtaining a degree in this field,' Bagwell said. The diversified horticulture proficiency award recognizes students involved in a supervised agricultural experience related to the best management practices available to produce in two or more proficiency areas: floriculture, landscape management, nursery operations or turfgrass management. The Byng FFA senior is the son of Brian and Terenda Bagwell. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Craig Thompson and Wyatt Shaw. The award is sponsored at the state level by the Oklahoma Horticulture Society and Energy Transfer. The state winner's $1,000 scholarship is sponsored by Milo Tea Company. FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education division in the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system. With more than 29,500 members and 369 chapters, the Oklahoma FFA Association is the sixth-largest state FFA association. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the Oklahoma FFA, visit
Axios
30-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Charlotte finalizes its bid to reclaim CIAA this week
Charlotte is on deadline this week to finalize its bid to host the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament for 2028 through 2030. Why it matters: Charlotte must submit a strong proposal to reclaim the tournament from Baltimore, the current host city and sole competing bidder. A successful bid will boast a premier venue, discounted hotel rates, a financial commitment for student scholarships and a welcoming environment, among other factors. Catch up quick: Charlotte hosted the CIAA tournament for 15 years, from 2006 to 2020, generating $650 million in economic impact, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). The city lost its bid to host the 2021 tournament to Baltimore. The latest: Charlotte and Baltimore each requested extensions on their bids, Charlotte Business Journal reported. CRVA CEO Steve Bagwell said his organization and others leading the bid had to finalize the deal details and determine whether Spectrum Center would be available to host all games. The CIAA prefers to host the entire tournament at the Spectrum Center rather than splitting rounds with Bojangles Coliseum, as was done in past tournaments. However, Spectrum Center may have scheduling conflicts from other already planned events. Bagwell told Axios on Monday that negotiations are ongoing, but he hoped for a resolution by the Wednesday deadline. He noted that Spectrum Center's ongoing renovations should improve Charlotte's prospects. The CIAA's request for proposals seeks low hotel room rates of $125 for teams, $200 for staff and $225 for fans. Bagwell acknowledged that meeting those targets is unlikely, although he added that the hotel community has been supportive. The bottom line:"I don't know if we'll get all the way there, but I think we'll be able to put a competitive package together," Bagwell says.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Allen commemorates Vietnam War Veterans Day
The Brief Vietnam War veterans gathered in Allen, Texas to commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Veterans and Rep. Keith Self were among the speakers. Beyond recognition, event goers said it was about supporting each other. ALLEN, Texas - Vietnam War veterans gathered in Allen, Texas Friday to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day. What they're saying On May 15, 1975, U.S. troops in southeast Asia saw the last combat of the Vietnam War. Those who served more than 50 years ago said times were different back then. They got little recognition, and now they want to continue to tell their story to the younger generations. "There are fewer Vietnam veterans every day," U.S. Army specialist John Bagwell said. Bagwell served and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was the keynote speaker for the Collin County event. "I was a disk jockey at the American forces radio station," Bagwell said. Veterans talked about how life since then has dramatically changed. At the time, negative public opinion of the war was often directed at men and women in uniform. "Most of us came back all alone, no one waiting at the airport or nothing like that," Collin County Vietnam Veteran of America Chapter 1122 President George Grimsley said. "It was a very different time." Rep. Keith Self (R-TX3) is a veteran. He was finishing at West Point as the war came to an end. "We gotta remember the times, whether you volunteered or answered the draft notice, you went and a lot of people did not," Self said. Why you should care While the recognition is appreciated, Bagwell said these events are also a way for those who served to support each other. "I think there is something therapeutic just talking about it and I think it's important for the American people to learn what we did," Bagwell said. The Vietnam Veteran Memorial at Fair Park was dedicated by President George H. Bush in 1989. Five tablets have the names of Texans killed or missing in action. The Source Information in this article comes from FOX 4 interviews.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Texas Country artist Bri Bagwell shares music influences, prepares for acoustic show
SAINT JO (KFDX/KJTL) — The Texas Female Artist of the Decade is making a stop in Texoma this weekend. Bri Bagwell is returning to the Red River Station in Saint Jo on Saturday, February 8. The New Mexico native is set to have an acoustic performance inside the venue's listening room. The audience can expect to hear some of her hits like 'Free Man,' 'Don't Tell Daddy,' upcoming singles set to release this year, and various 90's country covers. The nine-time Texas Female Vocalist of the Year said small venues around the country are shutting down, but seeing country fans supporting venues like Red River is amazing. 'Doing live music for set full time since 2010, it's just kind of more important than ever that we continue to support live music venues. I'm just thrilled that they provide that type of environment because it's really fulfilling as a songwriter,' Bagwell said. Bagwell's newest single, 'Ain't That Love,' will be released on Valentine's Day. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online. From writing poems as a kid to getting her first taste of honky-tonk life at age 14, Bri Bagwell has integrated music into each step of her life. With influences from Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, and Miranda Lambert to the King of Country, George Strait, the Texas Female Artist of the Decade's sound in the Texas Country scene stands out. 'I love traditional country,' Bagwell said. 'Johnny Cash and my grandma were second cousins. So I grew up with Johnny, Willie, Waylon, and stuff like that. All 90s country is my favorite.' The Las Cruces, New Mexico native found herself in the Lone Star State right after high school graduation. She picked guitar strumming chords while attending the University of Texas at Austin. Four years of studying later, she put her marketing degree to work at a startup company in Austin. But she soon faced choosing between her day job and her dream of performing. Thirteen #1 songs later and nine Texas Female Vocalist of the Year awards later, she hasn't looked back. 'I'm not sure if 13 number ones make me feel cool or old,' Bagwell said. Once, while performing at a festival in Burkburnett, Bagwell added 'Como La Flor' by Selena to her setlist, showing that not only does she lean on country for influence but also loves the Spanish influence as well. 'My next single is called 'Border Girl'. I love where I'm from,' Bagwell said. 'When I came to Texas, I definitely wanted to write fun beer songs. I was playing the festivals, and I wrote a bunch. I'm free to create the music that I want to create, and for me, that's a mixture of Spanish, English.' As for her fans, they seem to enjoy it. 'My fans are like, 'Yes! We love it!' I was a little afraid of what they would think, but they've been more into it than anything I've ever done,' Bagwell said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
