Memorial Day weekend arrives with salutes to all who served

By Darla Buckhannon

Happy birthday to Charles Sladek, Loretta Ditto, Jill Little, Melonie Payne, Kathy Holmes, Casey Hampton, Wanda Perry, Kimberly Foulk, Danny Loucks, Kristie Lynn, Terry Curtis, Denny Graviett, April Stafford, Shelly Dooley, Jason Sadler, Leann Hudson, Jessie McCall, Tammy Erlbacher, Ryan Goetz, Dierks Simmons, Mike Eby, Benn David, Dave VanToll, Pat Hindman, Seth Brown, Earl Chasteen, Judy King, Barbara Trankler, Lee Horton, Joan Surface, Mallory Dohogne, Joy Hooker, Megan Horman, Virginia Sides, Holly Hudson and Shane Dirnberger.

Happy anniversary to John and Debbie Gaines, Charlie and Nan Charleston, David and Tracy Kirchdoerfer, Larry and Vickie Goetz and Jason and Jill Morgan.

Fly your flag! We wish you a safe Memorial Day weekend! The pool at Harmon Field is open, and Monday you can enjoy a concert by the Chaffee Community Band at Circle Park. Presented by the Chaffee Historical Society, the music starts at 1 p.m. Popcorn, famous Historical Society hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase. In case of rain, the concert will be held at the VFW.

Loyal warriors

While we honor and celebrate our veterans this weekend who've defended our country, we also should thank the seldom mentioned war animals that played an important role in wars over the centuries. Horses have seen the most action; they pulled chariots, transported equipment and soldiers into battle, often more at risk than the riders. Reckless, named one of America's 100 all-time heroes by Life Magazine, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952 and served in the Korean War. She went to and from ammunition delivery sites and transported wounded soldiers. She received many awards, including a Good Conduct Medal, a Korean Service Medal and two Purple Hearts! Statues of Reckless were unveiled at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in 2013 and at Camp Pendleton in 2016.

Military dogs have played a big part as well. Sergeant Stubby was the most decorated dog in World War I. He was smuggled into France after winning the hearts of soldiers. He participated in 17 battles, boosted compatriots' morale, located wounded soldiers and saved the regimen from surprise mustard gas attacks. He later led parades and received many awards. He died in his sleep at the age of 10 and was preserved and presented to the Smithsonian in 1956.

Glowworms were used in World War I as lanterns to light trenches allowing soldiers to study maps and read reports and letters from home.

In the mid-19th century, the U.S. Army founded the Camel Corps, using 60 camels to carry equipment and wounded soldiers. Although camels could survive on little food and water, the corps was disbanded in 1861 due to the animal's ornery nature. Tens of thousands of carrier pigeons were used in World War II, with the infamous Gustav flying 150 miles to the British mainland to report Normandy landings. Dolphins and sea lions have been used by Navy SEALS to locate sea mines and dive down hundreds of feet to recover suspicious objects. They have served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and at U.S. naval bases. So, on this Memorial Day, we pause to remember our soldiers, and also our heroic animals!

Banquet moved up

News bulletin! The CHS Alumni Banquet will be held Sept 30 this year rather than in October. Make the change on your calendars!

Tip of the cap

Congratulations to the graduating high school seniors who received scholarships! We especially congratulate Brooke Kaylin LaFentres, who was selected as the 2017 recipient of the Ruth A. Buckhannon Memorial RN Scholarship. Brooke is a graduate of Scott City High School and is the daughter of Doug and the late Linda LaFentres. We are proud of all of our graduates!

The grand finale

We remind photographers that the deadline for the photo contest hosted by The Painted Wren Art Gallery is June 30. The theme is "Fourth of July." There are two divisions: adult, 18 years and older, and youth, 17 and younger. More information can be found on their Facebook page or by visiting their gallery in Cape Girardeau.

Man of distinction

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and many friends of Tom Cunningham, who was involved in so many civic and Elks activities. It always was a joy to see him, whether it was around town or greeting us at the Elks many fried-fish and chicken dinners.

As always

Remember to tell those special people in your life that you love them -- those three words mean so much.

Please email your news to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839.

And then ...

Then there were rompers for men.