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Many of the men Ashworth researched came from small communities like Flintville, Taft, and Petersburg. \u201cMany came from large families and worked on the family farm,\u201d she said. \u201cThe majority came from small communities around Fayetteville.\u201d Some left mills or fields behind. Many had only a grammar school education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut when they were drafted, they went and fought bravely and patriotically for their country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Families like Charles and Annie Wright of Fayetteville lost not one but two sons \u2014 James Levi and Charles Oscar. Both served in the Navy. Both were lost at sea \u2014 one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ashworth begins each profile with census records, searching for where they lived, what their families were like, and whether they worked on a farm or in a local mill. Military records help her trace their units and battles, and she turns to newspaper archives and obituaries to piece together more personal moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI usually start writing their profiles with a little background information,\u201d she explained. \u201cThe census records provide many details … Military records are my biggest resource, as well as Find-a-Grave and newspaper articles and obituaries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, family members share photographs or stories directly. One niece sent Ashworth pictures of her uncle, Tec-5 Howard Benson, including one in uniform. Photos and shared details bring life to their stories, ensuring they are not faceless names identified by their service records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can help Ashworth preserve Lincoln County\u2019s stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am still hoping to find pictures of many of Lincoln County\u2019s World War II fallen,\u201d she said. \u201cI am grateful to be able to contribute to this worthwhile project and tell the stories of these men, who would otherwise be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In places like the Warrior Exhibit \u2014 and through her careful research \u2014 their names are remembered, their stories retold, and their sacrifices are never forgotten. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To share information about a Lincoln County WWII fallen soldier, contact Anita Ashworth by calling (256) 651-8615 or emailing her at anita.ashworth@att.net. The Stories are posted on fold3.com.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ANITA ASHWORTH pulled open the door to the Warrior Exhibit. Outside, traffic circled the square, everyday life in motion \u2014 its freedom preserved by those remembered within these walls. Time slowed as she passed the faces and memorabilia honoring Lincoln County residents who served our country across generations of war. Hope and anticipation swelled as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":24248,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/07\/3-4-1024x683.jpg\")