If one is born an American citizen, it is a rare privilege to be a part of a young democracy that at times must be defended in order to preserve its rich heritage and continue as a free nation. Our families are proud of those of us who have met the challenge and gone to War from World War I to the Iraqi Conflict. The photos in this section of our website is devoted and dedicated with pride to those who have sacrificed so that our family members as well as all Americans can live in a land of liberty and abundance.

Photo of James J. Hendricks and his wife, Marie.

Parents to Sylvia R. Pickens and grandparents to Gina Gregg. James served in the United States Army during World War I.

Photo of Oliver Hale Pickens, Jr. with his wife Jocelyn.

Known to loved ones as "Brother". Oliver was killed while under the command of General McArthur in the Philippines in 1945 during World War II. He is a brother to Dr. James E. Pickens, M.D.

Photo of James Howard Hendricks.

James Howard Hendricks, Marine and brother to Sylvia R. Pickens, who served during World War II.

At the age of 17 was one of the first Marines to land on the beaches of Iwo Jima. He later learned that while he was landing on the beaches, his brother-in-law, Frank Reynolds, was aboard a ship attacking Iwo Jima at the same time.

Photo of Gary Gregg.

Gary Gregg, Uncle to Gina Gregg. He served in the United States Air Force.

Photo of Ace B. Mulliner, Jr.

Now serving in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant in Iraq. He is actively involved in direct training of Iraqi soldiers. He is the nephew of James E. and Sylvia R. Pickens.

James H. Hendricks and Frank Reynolds (photo of Frank)
INTERVIEW OF JAMES HOWARD HENDRICKS AND FRANK REYNOLDS REGARDING THEIR WORLD WORLD II AND IWO JIMA INVASION EXPERIENCES.

The Nazis may have been destroying and taking over most of Western Europe, but Jim Hendricks and his family in Wichita, Kansas, were not really affected by it. They were aware of the war, but it was a far off thing to them. It was not until December of 1941, that the war really hit home. Jim first heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the radio. He and his family were shocked, to say the least. This finally brought the war to reality. Since Jim was only 16 at the time, he had to finish high school before he could enlist in the Armed Forces.

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