The history of the First United Methodist Church of Paris reaches back to 1815 when William Stevenson decided to bring his Methodist inluence, and many of his followers to Arkansas County, Territory of Missouri. He traveled along the Red River, preaching in homes or in the open. Quickly a pocket of Methodists lived within what is now called Northeast Texas. As always in a pioneer movement, individuals moved west. As a result, Paris was formed in 1839 and Methodism arrived at the same time. This book relates the growth of what became eventually First Church of Paris.

The war memories for each were not easy to tell or write, for some had repressed them long ago. We have been able to live the American Dream through dedicated soldiers as the 250th Field Artillerymen. They spent many nights together away from home with ties that would bind them together that has never loosened over the years. Their stories are inspiring ones of faith, courage, patriotism and some told with humor, which helped to put their experience into perspective - somewhat! During this time, our people here at home were doing their part in everyway they could. Everyone listened to the radio for further news. The good news finally came - from "Day of Infamy" to "VE-VJ Day!" As a light weight 105mm howitzer battalion they would become known for their firing power. They made history and are leaving a legacy to be most proud. They proved they still can answer to the call of duty. I am proud to say, never once did I not enjoy my work with each of these men. Let's just say - we have a deeper friendship than when we began this project together. I became their ears and wrote the word for many of them. I scribbled making notes as they talked and then, when hunched over my keyboard to translate from them working into the early morning hours. I pray I conveyed each story as each of them would have. As I wrote, I got the sense what the American flag meant to each - it symbolized a Tradition of Caring. I wrote with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eyes and, yes, a little snicker.

The 75th Infantry Division contained the following units: 75th Division Artillery, 289th, 290th, and 291st Infantry, 275th Engineer Battalion, 375th Medical Battalion, 785th Signal Company, 75th Quartermaster Company, 775th Ordnance Company, HeadQuarters Company, and the 75th Reconnaissance Troop.