Shannon Keith
Retired Tarboro Police Chief Jimmy Lewis said that he will always remember the trusting and forgiving nature of his friend Louis A. Best Sr.
"One year, a fella' come to buy corn from Louis that nobody knew," said Lewis. "He told me to keep an eye on the guy and make sure he didn't leave without paying. Well, I got busy and forgot about him. Later on, Louis came back and asked if the man was still there. He wasn't. Louis said 'he'll be back soon, he won't get too far before he realizes he didn't pay, and he'll turn back.'"
"A couple of years later," Lewis continued, "I asked Louis if that guy had ever come back.
"Louis said, 'No, but I'm still waiting on him.'"
Best was honored Monday during the monthly flag-raising service at the Veterans Memorial on the Tarboro Town Common.
The flag-raising services, sponsored by the Tarboro Golden Kiwanis, are usually held on the first Monday of every month to honor deceased Edgecombe County veterans and other vets who have ties to the area. Best's ceremony was postponed one week due to inclement weather.
The honorees' American flags, which were given to their respective families by the military, are flown over the Veterans Memorial for that month.
Memorabilia from the deceased is also put on display for the month in the Edgecombe County Veterans Military Museum at 106 W. Church St. in Tarboro.
The Tarboro High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets are responsible for the flag detail each month.
Best's ceremony marked the 89th memorial, which have been scheduled well into 2010.
A native of Edgecombe County, Best was born in 1920, growing up in the midst of the Great Depression.
A life-long farmer before and after his military service, Best was well-known in the community for growing sweet corn.
"He sold the best sweet corn in the world," said Lewis. "Anyone who ever knew him could tell you that."
Best married his wife of 65 years, Henrietta, in October of 1941. The couple had five children together.
Best entered the military at the beginning of the United States' involvement in World War II, joining the U.S. Army in 1941.
Best served in the European Theater during the war and was in service from 1941-45.
After his discharge from the military, Best returned home to his family, farming and one of his favorite pastimes, fishing.
"Louis loved to fish," said Lewis. "The only thing he loved more than fishing was giving advice on fishing."
Best passed away in August 2007. He was 87 years old.
"He was a wonderful friend," said Lewis. "And I was blessed to have a friendship that lasted many years."
