Local Heros

Opinion

November 7, 2012

Local Heros

Harping

FOR THE DAILY SOUTHERNER Bob Harper The Daily Southerner Wed Nov 07, 2012, 03:57 PM EST

TARBORO — What is a hero? I suppose there could be a large number of descriptions, but mostly I think of it as being someone is able to put their own life in danger in order to save someone else’s life. Locally, here in Tarboro and Edgecombe County we have had a good number of such heroes.

I think it could go without saying that we have had a large number of heroes that emerged from every major war this nation has ever been involved in and it would almost take a rather large book to cover all those stories.

For this column I’m just going to write about two local heroes who had occasion to make the decision to risk their own lives in order to save the lives of others. I knew one who is no longer with us, and I’ve known the other one that still lives here for many years.

First it was James “Rat” Boykin. I never knew how Rat got his nickname, but that’s what it was. Boykin was 35 years old (a telephone engineer) when he saved Antonio Deya, 23, and helped save Paul E. Warren, 24, from drowning after their boat capsized in 16 feet of water in the Pamlico River. Deya was a poor swimmer and needed immediate help to keep from drowning. Warren managed to obtain holds on the boat.

A cut on Deya’s forehead bled profusely. Boykin recovered an empty gasoline can that had been in the boat for Deya to hold on to and keep him buoyant. Still afraid Deya might drown Boykin towed him toward an island through waves of one to two feet. Warren remained with the boat. Boykin towed Deya for 45 minutes, suffering cramps and growing weariness all the way.

Of course, Deya became alarmed at Boykin’s increasingly tiring condition. With Deya’s growing concern it became even more difficult for Boykin to tow him. Finally about 650 feet from the island they came to three foot deep water and managed to wade to shore. This was 1.5 hours after leaving the boat.

Boykin then swam another 1.5 miles to where there were several men in boats and with their help was to rescue Paul Warren. James “Rat” Boykin was severely fatigued, badly sunburned, and had numerous welts from stinging nettles. For Boykin’s heroic actions he was awarded the national Carnegie Medal of Heroism.

I have known Charles R. Dew, my late first wife’s cousin since 1957. Charles was just 15 years old when he was confronted with the choice of risking his own life to save those of others.

Charles helped save Sue H. Braswell, 8, and Gary R. Moore, 9, from drowning at Atlantic Beach, N.C. on June 21, 1962. Sue, a very poor swimmer, and Gary, who could not swim, were caught in a strong undercurrent while playing in the surf in the Atlantic Ocean and were swept into water beyond their depth. As both were carried father from shore, they screamed for help.

Although somewhat tired from pleasure swimming, Charles swam 75 feet and reached Sue, 225 feet from shore, in water six feet deep between waves more than two feet high. He supported Sue until her father reached them with a life ring. Handing Sue to her father, Charles swam 15 feet farther from shore to where Gary was sinking in seven foot deep water. Almost exhausted, Charles wrapped his arms and legs around the piling and told Gary to get on his back. Barnacles on the piling inflicted multiple lacerations on Charles as the waves broke over them, but he maintained his hold. Meanwhile Sue’s, by means of rope and an inflated raft dropped to them by men on the pier, Sue and her father were drawn to wadeable water. Then Charles, with Gary still on his back was drawn to shore on the raft.

Bleeding from cuts caused by barnacles attached to the pier Dew was led away for first aid. Soon after that the Braswell family, from Raleigh, was unable to find Charles Dew. Dew was located the next day working in his father’s garage in Tarboro. Later still, Dew was informed by Associated Press dispatch that he had been acclaimed a winner of the Carnegie Hero Medal and $500.

A very grateful father, George Braswell said, “If it hadn’t been for that boy, my little girl and the child from Greensboro would have drowned.”

So it seems there are times when individuals are placed in positions where they must place their own lives in danger in order to hopefully save someone else’s life. It’s not a position one would ask for, or hope for, but it happens, and that’s when we need heroes to be there and to act. James “Rat” Boykin and Charles R. Dew were placed in those positions and they acted and therefore lives were saved. The families of those saved were naturally extremely grateful for what Boykin and Dew did, and all of us should also be glad that such men as these exist.

(Bob Harper is a Tarboro resident who writes a column of general interest.)

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Opinion

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May 20, 2013
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Benghazi: We need the real truth
The American diplomatic mission at Benghazi, in Libya, was attacked on Sept. 11, 2012 by a heavily armed group. The attack began during the night at a compound that is meant to protect the consulate building. A second assault in the early morning the next day targeted a nearby CIA annex in a different diplomatic compound. Four people were killed including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. Ten others were injured.

May 15, 2013
With much thanks and love …
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But along the way, something else happened, Cousins Joyce, Dudley, Don, Kenneth, Howard and Jimmy all died after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dudley and Don and Jimmy and Howard were brothers. But we were much more than cousins. We were a true Southern family in that no matter how far away we might move, we always wound up back at Granny Walker’s.

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Favoring Immigrants over Citizens
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May 1, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Princeville, the oldest African American community in North America, through the years has had many hurdles and set backs since it was established.Yet with its resilience, it has some how, through some miracles has always bounced back to stay the course of normalcy as best as it could envision. Yet, we must be ever so reminded that our earthly job of being responsible and accountable for and to ourselves shall never cease, until our journey is finished.
This beckoning call for volunteers is being directed to all the local residents who are concerned and aware of the deplorable existing condition of the cemetery on N.C. Highway 111.
This appeal is specifically for churches, community organizations, and all concerned able body men, women and young folks to respond. The purpose of the tentative meeting is to organize a special committee of volunteers within the community, to assumed the responsibilities and duties of maintaining the cemetery. This is where our deceased loved ones are laid to rest and one day for sure some or most of us, if it’s God's will, shall lay rest in this cemetery. It's about pride and cultural respect and decency that we the living owe our beloved ones who's gone over.
Please call or respond to the contact information below and we'll get in touch and arrange a special meeting to start this project. It's no secret that it's an eyesore and a reflection of what we collectively think of ourselves as well as about of our deceased. This mindset can change. With the weather changing, the grass will be growing. Once again we'll be faced with the cosmetic upkeep. There are some simple tasks we as concerned residents can come together as a concerned unit/group to maintain the appearance of our cemetery.
Calling all concerned men and women and children residing in historic Princeville.
Those interested please call (252) 823-3740

Milton Bullock
Native of Princeville

April 17, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Thursday, May 2, is the National Day of Prayer all over the United States. I would like to challenge every minister of the gospel to bring a group from his or her church and meet us on the Town Square across from Edgecombe County Courthouse at 11:45 p.m. Thursday for prayer and unity.
After looking through the phonebook and newspaper church page, there appears to be more than 300 churches in Edgecombe County of multiple faiths. Yet each year we barely have 25 people respond to the advertising for National Day of Prayer.
Prayer has no respective person and does not practice segregation, yet the church segregates itself every Sunday morning. As a blood bought believer in Jesus Christ, I ask all who believes that Jesus was born of virgin, died on the cross and rose on the third day to meet me with an expressive tongue of prayer for our local, state and national leaders. Are you up for the challenge.

Viola Harris

April 17, 2013
We Salute...
Each Friday, The Daily Southerner will recognize individuals, groups and businesses in Edgecombe County who have gone “above and beyond” in their effort to make this a better place to work, play and raise a family.

April 12, 2013
We Salute...
• ELLIS “BUDDY” HOOKS, on being named to receive the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD.
Hooks will be officially recognized on May 14.
• ALL PARTICIPANTS in the 76th EASTERN CAROLINA 4-H LIVESTOCK SHOW, held this week at the East Carolina Agriculture and Educational Center.
• Members of the TARBORO HIGH BOOSTERS CLUB, employees of the TOWN OF TARBORO, members of the GOLDEN K KIWANIS CLUB and all others involved in the successul staging of the 20th TARBORO EASTER CLASSIC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT, Despite chilly, wet weather on Thursday, today’s weather is forecast to improve to the point of being a perfect day at the ballpark.
• Edgecombe County businesses recognized for their efforts to promote a safe work place, including Keihin Carolina System Technology, Inc., Air System Components, ABB, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas, Tarboro Resource Center and QVC, Rocky Mount , Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corp., Hillshire Brands-Sara Lee Bakery and N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, Tarboro Branch Office.
• LT. FLEMING THOMPSON, a 2005graduate of Tarboro High School, on being named the United States Air Force’s 23rd Bomb Squadron NAVIGATOR OF THE YEAR.

• • •

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April 3, 2013
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