Photograph of the base of a flagpole at Waco High School, which is a white pole set in a pyramidal concrete block on a concrete slab surrounded by grass. A decorative metal fence is visible around the left, right, and back sides of the pole, and is leaning inward. A structure is partially visible in the background of the right side of the image. This is the original flagpole of Rich Field Army Base in World War I.

Photograph of the decorative, three-sided iron fencing around a flagpole at a school in Waco. The fence includes a large emblem for the "Key Club" that dedicated flagpole shaped as a "K" in a circle, crossed with a vertical skeleton key. The other sides of the fence have decorative curlicues and the base of the flagpole and a trashcan are visible behind the fence. This is the original flagpole of Rich Field Army Base in World War I.

Photograph of a white flagpole, surrounded by low, decorative fencing at Waco High School, looking south. The flagpole is surrounded by a lawn and, in the background, part of a school building is visible at left, as well as a tree with a bench under it, and a mechanical structure at right. This is the original flagpole of Rich Field Army Base in World War I.

Photograph of a flagpole at Waco High School, looking north toward school buildings, visible in the background. The flagpole is painted white and has a low, decorative metal fence around it on three sides, with a trash can at the open end, at right. This is the original flagpole of Rich Field Army Base in World War I.

Photograph of the large facade window of the Austin Avenue Church. The stained-glass in the window has been destroyed by a fire and damage around the tracery of the window is visible.

Photograph of firefighters group around a water jug. Three uniformed firefighters are receiving water from a female Salvation Army worker who is wearing the water jug on her front.

Photograph of firefighters inside Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The firefighters are grouped together in a hallway and holding on to a water hose. In the foreground there is the 13th Street foyer of the church with water on the floor and stains on the walls.

Photograph of firefighters outside Austin Avenue Methodist Church. In the foreground there is a long water hose in 13th Street that goes up the side steps of the church. Firefighters are standing on the steps of the church facing towards the stained glass windows. Another group of people are standing on the sidewalk and looking towards a ladder that is propped up on the church.

Photograph of firefighters holding a fire hose. The men positioned near the ground outside the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. In the background the fire is visible inside of the church.

Photograph of firefighters holding a fire hose. The men positioned near the ground outside the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. In the background the fire is visible inside of the church.

Photograph of firefighters holding a fire hose. The men positioned near the ground outside the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The water from the hose is spraying towards the large facade window of the church.

Photograph of a front view of the fire damage to the Austin Avenue Methodist Church. Through the large facade window there is roof damage and smoke rising. To the left side towards the ground are fire hoses and ladders leaning on the church.

Photograph of the large decorative facade window of the Austin Avenue Church. The glass of the window has been burned out by a fire and damage around the tracery of the facade window is visible.

Photograph of the fire damage of Austin Avenue Methodist Church. The photograph shows the collapsed and charred roof of the church. The stone and brick exterior of the church is still standing.

Photograph of smoke rising from inside a building. The exterior building has an upper row of windows where smoke is visible. On the lower row of windows is a sign saying Pop Hale's Place Beer. A ladder is leaning against the building.

Photograph of a top view of the fire damage to the sanctuary of Austin Avenue Methodist Church.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr., on May 13, 1945, detailing his time overseas. He worked in a plant for a while, then in a battery shop. After a while he broke his foot, and had it put in a cast, so he worked in a supply room until it healed. They were on their way to Oran when Italy fell, so they went on to Italy instead. After the invasion of southern France, his company moved to northern Italy and built the largest maintenance shop in Italy. In May 1945, he was in charge of the Tire and Battery Shop.

Letter from Captain Merrill Smith to his wife about a photograph that his mother sent him and his cold.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on June 13, 1944. His mother has returned home from the hospital, and Willis urges her to get well. He commends the speed with which the Allied armies have been moving through Italy, and still hopes that he'll be home before the end of the year.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on May 13, 1944. He thanks them for the flint they sent him, and asks for a few more boxes. He sends his condolences on all the rain Waco had received, noting that it'll take a while for the river to recede and the fishing to improve. He mentions seeing Wilbur Crawford recently, and the two of them deciding they want to go on a camping trip. He sends well wishes to his mother.

Letter from Captain Merrill Smith to his wife discussing a letter he received from Betty, her enjoyment of married life, and his continual labor in constructing the camp.

Letter from Captain Merrill Smith to his wife informing her that he is no longer in Fiji and is now on a different island that he cannot disclose.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis Sr. on September 13, 1943. He asks them to send him food that isn't being rationed for Christmas, and to give a present to a girl at home from him.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on July 13, 1943. He discusses getting a magazine, and his plans to go fishing soon. He also denies ever signing up to fly planes, as his father had received a letter from the Air Force that claimed he had.