Angleton in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Brazoria County Ring Of Honor

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

1. Brazoria County Ring Of Honor Marker

Inscription.

Brazoria County Ring Of Honor. . , Flagpole stone, outward-facing side: , Dedicated To The Members Of The Armed Forces From Brazoria County Who Gave Their Lives In Service Of Their Country, To fallen soldiers let us sing, , Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing, , Our broken brothers let us bring , To the Mansions of the Lord, No mere weeping , No more fight , No friends bleeding through the night, , Just Devine embrace, , Eternal light, , In the Mansions of the Lord, Where no mothers cry , And no children weep, , We shall stand and guard , Though the angels sleep, , Oh, through the ages let us keep , The Mansions of the Lord, Flagpole stone, inward-facing side: , The Anerican Soldier, LCPL Christopher McCrackin , of Liverpool, Texas , In a letter written Nov. 13, 2005, Dear Mom and Dad,, How are you? I'm fine, doing good. It's cold as hell out here. We all have a slight cold. Well your son is now a combat seasoned Marine. I've seen more combat now than my seniors did the whole time they were here last time. I've gotten into two major conflicts and several sporadic shots. Been mortared once and almost ran into an IED, if it wasn't for Howard seeing it first, but I'm still fine. We just cleared two cities in six days, Najaf and Kabala. Have you seen us on the news? There are CNN and Time guys out here that I know of and many more. We leave tomorrow to do another city, smaller, should take two days. Its been so exhausting. I got your card mom. It was cool cause it came on the 10th and you put Happy B-Day (Marine Corp. birthday). Perfect timing. Did you get a new job? I noticed that on your card. Tell me all about it. How's everyone? Selene? Well got to go. I love you very much and miss you very much. Can't wait to see you. Selene too. Mom, don't worry, I'm being careful and I love you dad. , Love, Christoper, LCPL Christopher McCrackin , KIA Nov. 14, 2005, New Ubadyi, Iraq , This letter was received Nov. 23, 2005 , the day of his funeral., , Nov. 21, 1864., To: Mrs. Bixby, Boston Mass., Dear Madam:, I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle., I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save., I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom., Yours, very sincerely and respectfully , A. Lincoln, ....THE COST OF FREEDOM, , TAPS , Day is done, gone the sun, , from the lakes, from the hills, , from the sky, all is well, , safely rest, God is nigh., Fading light, dim the sight, , and a star, gems the sky, , gleaming bright, from afar, , drawing nigh, falls the night., Thanks and praise, for our days, , neath the sun, neath the stars, , neath the sky, as we go, , this we know, God is nigh. . This historical marker is in Angleton in Brazoria County Texas

Flagpole stone, outward-facing side:
Dedicated To The Members Of The Armed Forces From Brazoria County Who Gave Their Lives In Service Of Their Country

To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No mere weeping
No more fight
No friends bleeding through the night,
Just Devine embrace,
Eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry
And no children weep,
We shall stand and guard
Though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages let us keep
The Mansions of the Lord

Flagpole stone, inward-facing side:
The Anerican Soldier

LCPL Christopher McCrackin
of Liverpool, Texas
In a letter written Nov. 13, 2005

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are you? I'm fine, doing good. It's cold as hell out here. We all have a slight cold. Well your son is now a combat seasoned Marine. I've seen more combat now than my seniors did the whole time they were here last time. I've gotten into two major conflicts and several sporadic shots. Been mortared

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once and almost ran into an IED, if it wasn't for Howard seeing it first, but I'm still fine. We just cleared two cities in six days, Najaf and Kabala. Have you seen us on the news? There are CNN and Time guys out here that I know of and many more. We leave tomorrow to do another city, smaller, should take two days. Its been so exhausting. I got your card mom. It was cool cause it came on the 10th and you put Happy B-Day (Marine Corp. birthday). Perfect timing. Did you get a new job? I noticed that on your card. Tell me all about it. How's everyone? Selene? Well got to go. I love you very much and miss you very much. Can't wait to see you. Selene too. Mom, don't worry, I'm being careful and I love you dad.
Love, Christoper

LCPL Christopher McCrackin
KIA Nov. 14, 2005, New Ubadyi, Iraq
This letter was received Nov. 23, 2005
the day of his funeral.

Nov. 21, 1864.

To: Mrs. Bixby, Boston Mass.

Dear Madam:

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

2. Brazoria County Ring Of Honor Marker

View looking east from N. Velasco St.

they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully
A. Lincoln

....THE COST OF FREEDOM

TAPS
Day is done, gone the sun,
from the lakes, from the hills,
from the sky, all is well,
safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dim the sight,
and a star, gems the sky,
gleaming bright, from afar,
drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
neath the sun, neath the stars,
neath the sky, as we go,
this we know, God is nigh.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is October 13, 2005.

Location. 29° 10.105′ N, 95° 25.904′ W. Marker is in Angleton, Texas, in Brazoria County. Marker is on North Velasco Street, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Angleton TX 77515, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 (a few steps from this marker); Robert J. Calder (within shouting distance of this marker); 1895 Brazoria County Courthouse Column (within shouting distance of this marker); The Brazos Lighthouse

Gold Star Mother<br>Embodiment of those left behind image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

3. Gold Star Mother
Embodiment of those left behind

I am here alone, but I represent every mother, every father and every kindred soul that has lost a soldier on the field of battle. I sit because the burden I carry has become too great for me to bear. I shed these tears in hope that you may never know my pain. I bow my head to ask God to protect them and comfort me. I wear this pin to represent their light that will forever shine in me. I hold this American flag close to my heart to remind me that this nation is protected at their cost. I will rise again. I will dry these tears. I must be strong and remember how they stood tall and proudly for me. Never forget these brave fallen few. They are my sons - my daughters. Their ultimate sacrifice was for me - for you!

(within shouting distance of this marker); Sugar Kettle (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Brazoria County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Angleton Independent School District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sweeny Home (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angleton.

More about this marker. The featured marker involves a small circular courtyard honoring veterans of Brazoria County on the west lawn of the current Brazoria County Courthouse. It is surrounded by a complex series of a title stone (adjacent to flagpoles), four three-section panels, and two brass statues, all using a mirror-polished dark granite, together with three flagpoles and numerous outdoor lights. The panels have images and inscriptions on both sides. Two of the panels list the names of deceased veterans who died in action, from WWI to Iraq-Afghanistan. The paved circular floor includes a five-pointed star and eleven scallop-shaped panels, each inscribed with a notable quotation.

Also see . . .
1. Find-a-Grave entry for LCPL Christopher Matthew McCrackin

SP5 Clarence E. Sasser statue<br>Congressional Medal of Honor image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

4. SP5 Clarence E. Sasser statue
Congressional Medal of Honor

On Jan. 18, 1968 while fighting with HQ Co., 3d Bat., 60th In. 9th In. Div., as an aidman with Co. A in Dinh Tuong Province in the Republic of Vietnam, his company fell under heavy enemy fire. Over 30 casualties were sustained in the first few minutes. Without hesitation SP5 Sasser ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of machinegun and rocket fire to assist the wounded. After helping one man to safety, he was painfully wounded in the left shoulder. Refusing medical attention, he ran back into battle to aid the wounded. Despite two additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself 100 meters to aid another. Faint from blood loss, he continued aiding the wounded for five hours before being evacuated.

. (Submitted on May 15, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)
2. Wikipedia page for Clarence Sasser. (Submitted on May 15, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas.)

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

5. Brazoria County Ring Of Honor Marker

The American Soldier memorial stone
side facing inward toward circle; inscriptions above

Photographed By Chris Kneupper

6. Brazoria County Ring Of Honor Marker

View of outward-facing side; inscriptions above.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 14, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. 6. submitted on May 15, 2021, by Chris Kneupper of Brazoria, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.