Northpark YMCA in north Fort Worth to be renamed for Cpl. Don Graves

Days before he turns 101, Don Graves was honored by the city of Fort Worth.

During the Fort Worth City Council meeting on April 28, a presentation was made to rename the Northpark YMCA after him, which was approved.

The details

Presented by District 4 council member Charlie Lauersdorf and District 10 council member Alan Blaylock, Graves listened as they honored him for his military service during World War II and his impact in the community.

“The other night, we had a special, small dinner just to let Don know that this was going to be happening and we're going to be voting on it,” Lauersdorf said. “The look on his face said it all. ... I really want to thank the YMCA for helping to make this happen and being on board and supporting this. When I'm done with this job, I want to be somebody to ask what I'm most proud of ... It was this one, because this means a lot."

What they’re saying

“That’s not just an honor for Don, but it’s an honor for those people in his generation that paved the way for the freedom we have today,” said Rick Irving, an Army veteran who is a realtor in Fort Worth and photographer. “There’s going to be generations of children that go to that YMCA and they’re going to ask who was Corporal Don Graves. They’re going to find out about sacrifice and people of his generation.”

The background

Graves was in the Marine Corps and is one of the few remaining Iwo Jima survivors, according to the presentation. A special recognition was presented first for his birthday May 3.

“Well, I will tell you this, there are three things I will never forget,” Graves said. “First one, I love the Marine Corps. I love that flag and I love you people.”

Graves wanted to enlist in the military following the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1941, but was turned away due to his age, Lauersdorf said as he read the recognition plaque.

Graves, at the blessing of his parents, enrolled in the Marines at 17 years old and was shipped to boot camp at Camp Pendleton in California, on August 17, 1942.

In 1945, he was part of the third assault wave at Iwo Jima at Green Beach, Lauersdorf said. Graves told Airpower Foundation that only 18 of his 335 troops who stormed the beach survived the assault.

His role was carrying a flamethrower during the assault, which led to the capture of Mount Suribachi. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1946.

Last year, May 13 was proclaimed as Don Graves Day in the city of Fort Worth.

Graves has been involved in the Keller Rotary Club, the Keller Lions Club, the Keller Chamber of Commerce and a veterans’ group called Roll Call, which hosts a monthly veterans’ luncheon at Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

Stay tuned

Graves, who has sung the National Anthem for many sporting events around Dallas-Fort Worth, will sing for the NASCAR Cup Series race May 3 at Texas Motor Speedway on his 101st birthday.

There will also be two upcoming events to honor Graves in the area. On May 1, Cafe Republic will hold an event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 8640 N. Beach St. in Fort Worth.

Lauersdorf mentioned that the restaurant has a special reserved seat for Graves, as well as a mural of him.

The next day, Roanoke Tavern/Roanoke Live will have an event from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., to honor Graves.