Rededication of Haynes memorial on Veterans Day

The Walter Manly Haynes Memorial, dedicated to the first Hot Springs County resident to die as a serviceman on foreign soil, was rededicated Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day.

The memorial was originally dedicated in 1927, but in the years since it has gone unnoticed and most Thermopolis residents do not even know it is a monument to Haynes.

Just like the rededication of the monument, Haynes' story is quite incredible. Born on July 31, 1893, Haynes was the second of eight children born to Benjamin Franklin and Jennie (Gwynn) Haynes.

In 1906, the family moved to a home on Owl Creek and farmed in the Lucerne Valley during the summer and worked the Gebo coal mines in the winter. Later, in 1916, the family received their homestead certificate and built a three-room log house on Cottonwood Creek. The house still stands today.

In April 1917, the United States entered World War I, and in June of 1917, Walter, then 24 years old, and his brother Rollie, 26, registered for the selective service.

A year later, Walter was in France, writing to his family, "[France is] the prettiest country I ever saw, but I know of another I like a whole lot better."

In September of 1918, Walter's family received a letter that their son was missing in action, and dreaded their son's fate. A week later confirmation of their fears came, as their son's status was changed from mission in action to killed in action.

The American Legion organization post #18 in Thermopolis was named the Walter Haynes Post in his honor.