On this Memorial Day, we pause to pay tribute to Mandarin residents who gave their lives in service to the United States of America. May they rest in peace and be remembered by all with unwavering gratitude. Marion Joseph Losco was killed in action in World War I. His parents, Frank and Dometilla, emigrated from Italy to the United States in the 1880s. They settled in the Loretto area (Losco Road) and worked hard growing fruits and vegetables and making wine in their log cabin winery, which now resides in Walter Jones Historical Park. They were active parishioners at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Marion registered for the draft in 1917 at the Walter Jones Store & Post Office and shortly after, was sent across the Atlantic to France. During the Second Battle of the Marne, Pvt. Losco was killed in action around July 31, 1918. He lies at rest in the Oise Aisne American Cemetery in France. A memorial cross was placed near his parents in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. (Pictured upper left) 1st Lt. William Wirt Webb, U.S. Army, died in combat during World War II. Lt. Webb came from a line of veterans. His father, Warren Webb, served in the Spanish-American War and his grandfather was Civil War Union officer Major William Wirt Webb, who owned the land that is now Walter Jones Historical Park. Lt. Webb, a Silver Star recipient, was killed on August 15, 1944 during the Allied landing in southern France, Operation Dragoon. He was serving in the 59th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. He rests in the Rhone American Cemetery in Draguigan, France. There is also a memorial stone for him in Mandarin Cemetery. (Pictured upper right) The Korean War claimed PFC Eugene W. Bowden, 5th U.S. Marines, 1st Marine Division, son of Cleveland and Edna Lenor Bowden. Eugene was a fisherman, following in the footsteps of his father, a commercial fisherman. His mother made fishing nets. At the age of 21, he was killed in combat at Singpong-ni, Korea on November 13, 1950. He is buried in Mandarin Cemetery. (Pictured lower left) Staff Sgt. Jason Sean Dahlke, son of Deborah DeLaney and Roger & Tessa Dahlke, died in Afghanistan during his 3rd deployment there, his 7th overall. He attended Mandarin High School and married Niki Norvell, his high school sweetheart. He loved the outdoors and loved serving his country. Niki described him as “the most amazing, fun, and loving human being - who loved life and loved his people to the fullest.” He was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. On August 29, 2009, as part of an Army Ranger task force, Dahlke engaged in an attack on an enemy position when he lost his life. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart and two Army Commendation Medals. He was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, a second Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He was laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. (Pictured lower right) (fb)

Join us this evening, May 15th, for the final lecture in our Spring 2025 Third Thursday Lecture! "Jacksonville Through the Lens of Self" features recently retired Senior Staff Photographer Bob Self of the Florida Times-Union. His poignant and vibrant images document 4 decades of Jacksonville’s people, places, and events that have shaped our community. Bob will also share the ways in which advancing technology changed his profession over time. Don’t miss this truly engaging experience! 🗓️Thursday, May 15th 🕰️Refreshments at 6:30; Presentation at 7:00 📍Mandarin Community Club, 12447 Mandarin Rd. 🎟️Free Admission 🅿️Free on-site parking Thank you to our friends at Endless Summer Roofing Co for generously sponsoring our Spring 2025 Third Thursday Lecture Series! (fb)