Lt. Gen. George Perry Rains

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Born in Marshall, Texas, on September 18, 1872, George Perry Rains came into this world in Harrison County, and if you'd told anyone that day what this man would eventually become, they might have nodded slowly and said, yeah, that tracks. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas, so right there you've got a man who could patch you up and, as it turns out, also command the troops you'd need patched up in the first place.

In 1890, he enlisted in the Marshall Light Infantry, a local militia right there in his hometown. Now, that enlistment in 1890 is where the clock starts, and you want to remember that number. He married Norma Pitts in 1899, and somewhere in all of that he also found time to see service on the Mexican border.

Then came the First World War, and George Perry Rains went in as a colonel in the 3rd Texas Infantry. He didn't stop there. He went on to command the 144th Infantry, the 72nd Brigade, and the 36th Division.

Three commands. The man collected responsibility the way some people collect regrets. And all along the way, he was honored nationally, both as a doctor and as a military man, and remained active in civic affairs on top of everything else.

Now, remember that 1890 enlistment in the Marshall Light Infantry? When George Perry Rains finally ended his military career, it had been forty-nine years. Forty-nine years from a local militia in Marshall all the way to Brevet Lieutenant General.

He passed on September 19, 1955, one day after his eighty-third birthday. One day. If that doesn't tell you something about the man's sense of timing, well, maybe nothing will.

What the marker says

(September 18, 1872 - September 19, 1955) Born in Marshall. Received his medical degree from University of Texas. Enlisted in Marshall Light Infantry (local militia), 1890. Ended military career 49 years later as Brevet Lieutenant General. Saw service on Mexican border. In World War I served as colonel, 3rd Texas Infantry. Later commander, 144th Infantry, 72nd Brigade, and 36th Division. Honored nationally as doctor and military man. Active in civic affairs. Married Norma Pitts, 1899.