CELEBRATION: JACKSON TO HONOR TROOPS OF DESERT STORM JULY 4

JACKSON -- A parade and ceremony honoring area troops who served in Operation Desert Storm will highlight this year's Jackson Jaycee July 4th Celebration.

The event will be sponsored by the Jaycees, local veteran's groups, and the United Way Desert Storm Task Force. Other local non-profit clubs will provide help for the event.

"The purpose of this year's Fourth of July celebration is three-fold," said Rick Saupe, chairman of celebration committee. "(It is) to celebrate the homecoming of all area troops who served in Desert Storm, and veterans of other wars. And to celebrate the birthday of our country and the anniversary of the naming of Jackson."

The Desert Storm parade begins at 9 a.m. It will wind through town to the municipal band shell, in the city park, located south of Independence Street (Highway D).

Organizations or individuals that would like to participate in the parade should contact Patty Reisenbichler at the Chamber of Commerce office, 243-8131.

The Desert Storm ceremony at the band shell begins at 11 a.m. with sky divers, posting of the colors, followed by Desert Storm speakers, recognition of local and area Desert Storm veterans and other veterans, and a special presentation by Jimmy Cox of Cairo. Cox made a patriotic presentation at the recent Senior Fun Fest.

Saupe said other details of the Desert Storm program will be announced later this month.

The day-long event is the only major observance of the Fourth of July in Cape Girardeau County this year. Cape Girardeau has not had a public July Fourth observance for several years. "Since Cape no longer has a July 4th event, we feel the Jackson City Park is now the place to be, not only for Jackson residents, but for everyone in Cape Girardeau County and the surrounding area," said Saupe.

Other activities at this year's Jackson July Fourth celebration include an auto show, horseshoe tournament, mud volleyball, children's and adult games, live entertainment, concessions, a tractor pedal pull and a band concert. It will conclude with a fireworks display over the park lake.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen on Monday night approved traffic control plans in and near the park that were drawn up by the police department.

Saupe said the Jackson City Park to be closed to all vehicular traffic on July 4th from Union to the low water bridge.

Park Street will be made one-way from the swimming pool to the low water bridge.

Saupe said no-parking signs will be placed along the south side of Independence Street to avoid a repeat of a major traffic jam that developed last year after the fireworks display.

Because of the possibility that large military equipment may be in the parade, there will be no parking on Union, from West Main to Washington. Letters will be sent to residents who live along Union reminding them of the parking ban on July 4th.

The board authorized the city to donate $1,000 to the Jaycees for the fireworks display. Mayor Carlton Meyer noted July 4th is also the anniversary of the naming of Jackson. "It'll be our birthday party," the mayor said. "We'll be celebrating along with the birthday of our country."