[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3650-3651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING JAMES ARTHUR ``ONION'' EASTHAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
life and legacy of an upstanding hero of the Commonwealth, the late Mr. 
James Arthur ``Onion'' Eastham. A native of Somerset, KY, Mr. Eastham 
passed away peacefully on December 28, 2010. He was 87 years old.
  Born in Pulaski County, KY, James not only served both his community 
and country selflessly, but touched the lives of all who had the 
pleasure of meeting him. His courageous and patriotic spirit led him to 
join the U.S. Marines Corps where he served as a staff sergeant and 
crew chief aboard a B-25 bomber, and in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater 
where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for duty at and during the Luzon 
and southern Philippine campaigns. He was also presented with the 
impressive award of the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star 
for his bravery during combat with the enemy.
  After the war, James continued to serve his community as a regional 
salesman for Morton Salt Company, as a longstanding member of the 
Kiwanis Club and the Somerset Masonic Lodge No. 111, and as a member of 
the First Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school and served as a 
chair of a building committee for the church's new sanctuary. It was no 
surprise that James's conscientious and excellent character earned him 
a spot on the Somerset City Council for 18 years, where he played 
active roles in helping to establish the Somerset Community College and 
finding a location for what is now the Lake Cumberland Regional 
Hospital. It is evident that both his family and the people of his 
close-knit community respected and valued James's tireless dedication 
and steadfast leadership, as he will always be fondly remembered as a 
man who stood firm in his beliefs.
  I could surely continue to praise the works and accomplishments of 
this brave and humble man, but I will simply ask that my colleagues 
join me in remembering a true gentleman who poured his heart into 
serving, protecting, and strengthening his family, his country, and the 
Commonwealth. My thoughts go out to his beloved wife, Virginia; his 
three children, Jimmy, Wayne, and Lisa; his sister Edna; his 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many other beloved friends 
and family members.
  The Commonwealth Journal recently published an article about a 
contribution that was made in James's name to the Reid S. Jones Fund, a 
fund named in honor of his dear friend that helps veterans make 
educational advancements. I ask unanimous consent that the full article 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Commonwealth Journal, Jan. 30, 2011]

   Foundation Launches Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund With Contribution 
                    Honoring James ``Onion'' Eastham

       The Jones Educational Foundation Inc., a 501(C)3 not-for-
     profit corporation based in Somerset, has launched the Reid 
     S. Jones Memorial Fund with a $1,000 contribution made by Dr. 
     Sonya Jones honoring the late James Arthur ``Onion'' Eastham.
       According to Dr. Jones, president and CEO of The Jones 
     Foundation, the donation is intended to pay tribute to the 
     friendship between James ``Onion'' Eastham, a man who was 
     regarded highly in the Somerset community, and her father.
       Further, the fund is meant to honor veterans from all the 
     wars in which the United States has fought. The initial 
     donation honors veterans who served in the European and 
     Pacific theaters of World War II.
       ``I had been thinking about the Foundation setting up a 
     fund for veterans in Dad's name ever since I made a donation 
     in his memory to help restore the Soldiers and Sailors 
     Memorial building at Union College,'' Mr. Jones said.
       Reid Jones graduated from Union in 1959. He went on to do 
     graduate work in education at Eastern Kentucky University.
       ``When Mr. Eastham passed away in late December, I knew it 
     was time,'' Dr. Jones added. ``Dad thought so much of his 
     friend that I felt he would want me to do something special 
     to honor Onion's memory.''
       Reid Sievers Jones (April 24, 1926 to April 15, 2005) 
     entered the U.S. Army at a crucial point in the history of 
     World War II. he was stationed in Germany, and he fought in 
     the Battle of the Bulge. He was a survivor in what has been 
     called ``one of the bloodiest battles'' of World War II.
       Conducted in the dense, mountainous region of Belgium, the 
     Battle of the Bulge was Adolf Hitler's last major offensive 
     against the Allies. The battle ran from Dec. 16, 1944, until 
     Jan. 25, 1945.
       When he enlisted in the Army as a private, Reid Jones was 
     18 years of age. He married Elva Sears on Dec. 30, 1944, 
     shortly before shipping out to the European front. He was 
     promoted to the rank of staff sergeant and remained in 
     Germany for a short time after the war to help begin the 
     process of reconstruction.
       James ``Onion'' Eastham (Sept. 22, 1923, to Dec. 28, 2010) 
     served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater where he was awarded 
     two bronze stars for duty at and during the Luzon and 
     Southern Philippine campaigns. He also received the 
     Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a bronze star for duty 
     involving combat with the enemy.
       Reid Jones and Onion Eastham were ``two of a kind,'' said 
     Jimmy Eastham, son of the former Somerset City Council member 
     who served as staff sergeant and crew chief aboard a B-25 
     bomber in the United States Marine Corp.
       Jones and Eastham both were salesmen after the war. Jones 
     worked for many years for Fram Corp. and Eastham for the 
     Morton Salt Co. The two men liked to get together and engage 
     in the high art of Southern storytelling. Both formed strong 
     friendships with other men in the Somerset community.
       ``Dad and Onion Eastham were part of a group of men who 
     convened initially at Dad's car lot out on East Mt. Vernon 
     Street, then at Dad's automotive parts store on Ogden Street 
     in the building now owned by Dr. Byron Owens,'' Dr. Jones 
     said.
       ``After Dad retired from Fram, he devoted most of his time 
     to the automotive business and our family's rental 
     properties,'' Dr. Jones continued.
       ``When Dad closed the automotive parts store housed in the 
     same building with Mother's antiques and collectibles, he and 
     his buddies met for coffee at the Sugar Shack over on the 
     strip,'' she said.
       Meeting for coffee was part of their ``daily routine,'' 
     said Jimmy Eastham.
       From time to time, the group also included Bobby Claunch, 
     Howard Eastham, Ledger Howard, Penny Starnes, Don Stone, Jim 
     Williams and Bob Williams in addition to Reid Jones and Onion 
     Eastham.
       Like his father, Jimmy Eastham served as a member of 
     Somerset City Council. He and

[[Page 3651]]

     the Eastham family have given their enthusiastic endorsement 
     to the Reid S. Memorial Fund with Dr. Jones' cornerstone 
     contribution in memory of James ``Onion'' Eastham.
       ``It is a good idea to establish the fund even if it 
     weren't done in the name of my father,'' Eastham said.
       Both Reid Jones and James Eastham were ``very patriotic,'' 
     according to Virginia Eastham, mother of Jimmy, Lisa (Bandy) 
     and Wayne Eastham.
       When Reid Jones returned from the war, he worked first as a 
     teacher and principal in the Pulaski County and Somerset City 
     school systems. He is remembered, particularly by former 
     students at Shopville High School as a firm teacher who was 
     not afraid to exercise discipline when he thought it was 
     needed.
       Later, in the 1960s, he joined Fram Corp., based in 
     Providence, RI, as a district sales manager. Frequently, he 
     was recognized for exceeding sales quotas. He was 
     instrumental in placing Fram products in Wal-Marts across the 
     southeastern United States.
       Reid Jones was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Oleika 
     Shriners Temple in Lexington. He served on the board of 
     directors of First United Methodist Church.
       In addition to being an influential member of Somerset City 
     Council, James ``Onion'' Eastham was a member of the Somerset 
     Masonic Lodge #111 and a long-standing member of the Kiwanis 
     Club. He was also a member of First Baptist Church where he 
     taught Sunday school and served as chair of a building 
     committee for the church's new sanctuary.
       As a member of Somerset City Council from 1964 to 1982, 
     Eastham played an active role in helping to establish 
     Somerset Community College and finding a location for what is 
     now Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. He considered running 
     for mayor, but his job as a regional salesman for Morton Salt 
     Co. created time constraints that caused him not to seek 
     office.
       According to Clarence Love, city clerk during the years 
     Eastham served on council, ``he was very conscientious.'' In 
     Love's opinion, Eastham was an ``excellent councilman.''
       Jimmy Eastham said he thought his father most likely would 
     be remembered most for ``standing for what he believed in.''
       The Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund was established, first and 
     foremost, to help veterans with educational issues.
       ``A veteran might return from Afghanistan ready to go to 
     law school and need some assistance,'' Dr. Jones said. ``Or, 
     a veteran might return and want to become a law enforcement 
     officer or a mechanic.''
       As interest on the fund grows, money will be awarded to 
     veterans who demonstrate great potential for success in 
     professional and vocational arenas.
       Primarily, the Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund intends to honor 
     ``the warrior spirit,'' Dr. Jones said, ``the spirit of 
     courage and bravery'' that has helped to keep the United 
     States free.
       The Reid S. Jones Memorial Fund is now open for tax-
     deductible contributions. Interested parties may e-mail Dr. 
     Jones at: [email protected] or phone her at 606-875-
     2967.

                          ____________________