Ceremonies across Southeast Missouri mark Veterans Day

Veterans packed the auditorium at Jackson High School for its annual Veterans Day program Tuesday. Across town schools held ceremonies, the VFW raised flags, and bands marched in parades to honor those who served.

"Many people may wonder why one would subject himself to the danger of the military. What possesses them to leave the safety and security of home and fight for people they don't even know? Service to our country goes beyond self-sacrifice; it goes to a certain pride in our country and in the knowledge that without soldiers we could not exist as we do today," said Jackson senior Bobby Williamson, reading his winning essay in the VFW Voice of Democracy contest.

The choir dedicated the song "Blades of Grass and Pure White Stone" to Staff Sgt. Bradley Skelton, a Jackson High School graduate who died in the line of duty in February. The 40-year-old Gordonville man was killed in Baghdad when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

As the choir sang, a video featuring pictures of national monuments and the Arlington National Cemetery was played. Several audience members wiped away tears.

The American Legion Honor Guard posted the colors, and two students played taps.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comMackenzie Stone, 5, of Jackson carries a sign down High Street with Daisy Troop 4044 thanking veterans during the Veterans Day parade Tuesday in Jackson. Jackson has had a Veterans Day parade for more than 40 years.

"The one that always gets me is when they play taps. It goes right through you. I really enjoyed the program," said Jerrel Busey, who served in the Navy in the South Pacific from 1952 to 1956, remaining on inactive duty for four years afterward.

He said the message he tells his grandchild is "to never forget."

"Nowadays there are fewer people who know what Dec. 7 means," he said.

Student Shanda Smith, a senior, said participating in the Veterans Day ceremony is her favorite of all the choir's performances. She especially likes recognizing the military branches through the "Armed Forces Medley."

"They get so emotional when they hear their song, and they are so proud," she said.

Richard Welker, captain of the American Legion Honor Guard who served in Vietnam, left, and Jim Roche, who served in Vietnam and Iraq, pause during the invocation at the Veterans Day ceremony at New McKendree United Methodist Church after the Jackson Veterans Day parade.

Rosie Wells, who served as a cook in Iraq for a year and returned in 2005, attended the ceremony with her grandfather, Rusby Niswonger. She said she joined the Army National Guard because both her grandfathers served and she wanted to give back.

"My message would be to support our troops. Some people don't, but the troops are the ones fighting for us," she said.

Other events to honor veterans Tuesday included the laying of a wreath at Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau, a parade through uptown Jackson, ceremonies at schools in Oran, Chaffee, Leopold, Perryville and Gordonville and South Elementary in Jackson. Delta Elementary served a special lunch to veterans, as did the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

"These people stepped forward when America needed them," said Gabe Eggers, Jackson High School's student body president.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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