Inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration

Joshua Hartwig ~ Southeast Missourian

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Nearly 500 people braved the cold to honor military veterans and the Stars and Stripes National Museum in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Proceeds from the event benefit the museum, which is devoted to the history of the nation's Stars and Stripes military newspaper.

Attendees gaze at the stage during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Retired Lt. Col. Jack Jackson gives a speech during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Carlos Vargas-Aburto gives a speech during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Retired Navy Capt. David Cantrell gives a speech Saturday during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)

Attendees are seen Saturday during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Stars and Stripes military newspaper publisher Max Lederer gives a speech during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Gov. Mike Parson is seen mingling with attendees during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Attendees are seen at the buffet line during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Gov. Mike Parson gives a speech during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)

Gov. Mike Parson is seen approaching the stage during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Former Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder gives a speech during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Gov. Mike Parson, left, is seen greeting Carlos Vargas-Aburto during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Retired Major General Cassie Strom gives a speech during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Emma Torres, left, and Sydney Ernst pose for a photo during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Sharon Morse, left, and Herman Morse pose for a photo during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Attendees are seen Saturday during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
From left, James Foutz, Haley Stone, Mariel Bisher and Huy Tran pose for a photo during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
From left, Hollynn St. Clair, Madison Jackson and April Bassett pose for a photo during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
From left, Delaney Mayo, Bryce Simmons, Hazel Williams and Michael Williams pose for a photo during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Larry Pierce, left, and Bill Thompson pose for a photo during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)
Clifford Boner is seen admiring wartime memorabilia during the inaugural Spirit of Democracy celebration Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. (Joshua Hartwig ~ jhartwig@semissourian.com)