Jackson events to honor America's veterans

October was a busy month filled with a variety of activities, including Oktoberfest, Customer Appreciation Day at the Recycling Center, and many "pink up" activities for National Breast Cancer Awareness month.

As a fitting conclusion to our activities, the Pink Moon Run/Walk for breast cancer research was around the Courthouse Square on Oct. 26. The pink is now put away for this year, and we are ready to move on to many November activities.

Veterans Day is an official national holiday that honors all people who have served in the armed services. The date was originally selected to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. Then known as Armistice Day, Congress changed the name by replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans" on June 1, 1954, and it has been Veterans Day since that time.

In honor of all our veterans, there are several Veterans Day activities planned. At 1 p.m. Saturday, the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad is having the USO Veterans Train. Veterans ride free and will be recognized and treated to musical entertainment. The Music Department of Jackson High School will present a tribute to all veterans at 9 a.m. Monday.

This wonderful program is open to the public and will be in the Jackson High School Auditorium. The Veterans Day Parade, sponsored by the American Legion, will start at 4 p.m. and go through Uptown Jackson. Immediately after the Parade, there will be a service honoring veterans in New McKendree Methodist Church.

Education week, city training

The national observance of American Education Week is also in November. This year it's from Nov. 18 to 22. During that week, all the schools will have a variety of activities to celebrate American Education Week. The kickoff event will be a flag-raising ceremony in front of the high school, the reading of the American Education Week Proclamation, and music by the JHS Mixed Chorus.

I have often mentioned the valuable information provided through the workshops and speakers presented at our Missouri Municipal League Conference. Through attendance at selected workshops on municipal governance, we can earn recognition as Certified Municipal Officials. I am proud that city administrator Jim Roach, city clerk Mary Lowry, public works director Rodney Bollinger, human resources assistant J.J. Wiseman and I all received designations as Certified Municipal Officials.

The city of Jackson began in 1814 as a settlement on the elevated land between Hubble and Goose creeks on the site selected to serve as a permanent seat of justice, and it still is the county seat of Cape Girardeau County. If you take note of the date, it will give you a hint about activities that will be taking place next year -- the 200th birthday of the city of Jackson.

Barbara Lohr is the mayor of Jackson.