MEMORIAL INCLUDES TRIBUTE TO MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER

In Focus – By CR Brown

Veteran’s day has come and gone. Wednesday’s parade down East 3 Notch Street, ending at the Veterans’ Memorial drew hundreds who wanted to pay tribute to all those soldiers from Covington County who have served in the military and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country. In fact, beginning with World War I and ending with Desert Storm, 179 of America’s finest from the local area perished in no less than six different conflicts. World War II claimed the highest toll with 109 killed in action and another 16 held as prisoner of war.

Though all 179 are heroes by all accounts, one particular soldier’s story is the kind of experience from which legends are made. His story can be found on the monument pictured above at the Veteran’s Memorial Park located just behind Andalusia City Hall. It is the story of Rodney J. Evans, the only Covington County recipient (posthumously awarded) of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Rodney J. Evans was a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Company D. First Battalion, 12th Calvary, 1st Cavalry Division. He became a casualty of war on 18 July 1969 in the Tay Ninh Province of the Republic of Vietnam. His was not just a soldier’s death, but a hero’s death – one that brought the highest honor that his country could bestow upon him.

The inscription on the monument reads.

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Evans distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as squad leader in a reconnaissance sweep through heavy vegetation to reconnoiter a strong enemy position. As the force approached a well defined trail, the platoon scout warned that the trail was booby-trapped. Sgt. Evans led his squad on a route parallel to the trail. The force had started to move forward when a nearby squad was hit by the blast of a concealed mine. Looking to his right Sgt. Evans saw a second enemy device. With complete disregard for his safety he shouted a warning to his men, dived to the ground and crawled toward the mine. Just as he reached it an enemy soldier detonated the explosive and Sgt. Evans absorbed the full impact with his body. His gallant and selfless action saved his comrades from probable death or injury and served as an inspiration to his entire unit. Sgt. Evans’ gallantry in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.”

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest military award for bravery. Only 3448 medals have been awarded since it was created in 1863.

GARDEN SPIDERS COMMON TO ALABAMA

In Focus – By CR Brown

Imagine walking along a wooded path when suddenly you come face-to-face with the critter pictured above. That critter is Argiope aurantia, otherwise known as the Black and Yellow Garden Spider or Corn Spider. It is also known as the Banana Spider or Writing Spider in some circles. Here in the Wiregrass (south-central Alabama), the folks simply refer to it as a harmless Garden Spider. This particular species is common to most areas of North and Central America. The typical male ranges in size from 5 to 9 mm, while the female is much larger at 19 to 28 mm. Some can be larger still.

Look for Garden Spiders to build a circular web 24 inches in diameter anywhere from two feet to eight feet off the ground. The web will usually be located near an open area, where it will likely have access to sunlight throughout a good part of the day. Once the web is constructed, the female will rarely move to another location during her lifetime.

The first step in the construction of the web consists of strategically placing four or five anchor lines that are attached to points three or more feet apart. Those anchor lines intersect, forming the center of the soon-to-be-constructed 24-inch circular web. At the heart of the web is a dense zigzag of silk called stabilimentum measuring approximately 1 inch by 4 inches. The stabilimentum acts as camouflage for the host spider but also as a warning device to birds winging their way through wooded areas.

Hanging head-down in the web, the female Garden Spider waits for unsuspecting prey to become entangled in her handywork. If she feels threatened, she may drop to the ground where she can hide until the danger passes.

Amazingly, the female spider purposely rebuilds her inner web on a daily basis. She consumes the silk lines making up the inner web every evening and then rebuilds in the early morning. It is believed that tiny insects and other nutrients too small to see with the naked eye are captured in the webbing, which provides the spider a steady dietary source.

Garden Spiders bring fourth their young only once yearly. After seaching out a prospective female, the male spider will build a small web next to his mate to be. He will then court the female by plucking the taunght web strands much like a guitar. However, he remains vigilant while approaching the female, keeping a safety drop-line at the ready, just in case the female goes on the attack. The male dies shortly after mating at which time he is often eaten by the female.

After placing her eggs in sacks, usually numbering 1-4, the female Garden Spider becomes more frail as the weather turns cold and will die on the arrival of the first frost.
The egg sacs will hatch when spring arrives, releasing potentially thousands of spiderlings. Most of those will remain in the local area, while others will deploy a single strand of silk that will act as a wind sail, carrying them to other areas.

The female Garden Spider pictured above resides above a walking trail in Heath, Alabama.