Planning commission honors local WWII veteran with memorial highway designation
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Summary
The Texarkana Planning Commission voted unanimously to memorialize a stretch of roadway in honor of Staff Sergeant Denver Bull Randleman after a presentation by a VFW representative that recounted his military service and local roots.
The Texarkana, Arkansas Planning Commission voted to memorialize a stretch of city roadway in honor of Staff Sergeant Denver “Bull” Randleman after a presentation by a local veterans’ representative.
Tom Hornburg, who identified himself as a member of the local veterans’ community and presented historical photos and a shadow box, told the commission that Randleman — a decorated member of Easy Company who parachuted into Normandy on June 6, 1944 — lived his later years in Texarkana and is buried locally. Hornburg said area veterans and the VFW sought the designation to preserve Randleman’s legacy.
“Bull lived out his years here in Texarkana, Arkansas and worked as an honest, quiet, and modest life until his untimely death in 2003,” Hornburg said while showing memorabilia he said had been presented posthumously. He added that regional commemorations have already recognized Randleman’s service and that local veterans welcome the Twin City leaders’ support.
A commissioner moved to approve the memorial designation and the motion passed on voice/roll-call vote; no formal opposition was raised during the public hearing. The commission’s action designates the requested stretch — described in the applicant’s request as East 9th from Locust Street to the city limits (the presentation also referred to the stretch as East Nye Street) — in honor of Staff Sergeant Denver Bull Randleman.
The measure is ceremonial. The applicant and several attendees said the VFW and local veterans’ groups will coordinate placement of any signs and invite the community to commemorative events.
