Decorated Vietnam War veteran to speak at Sikeston ceremony

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A former state representative who is a decorated Vietnam veteran and a proponent of veterans and security causes will be the featured speaker at Sikeston's Veterans Day ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 9:45 a.m. Monday at the Sikeston Field House.

Jack Jackson, a retired Marine colonel, will address the public and Sikeston High School students during the Veterans Day observance.

Jackson joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Purdue University and working briefly for General Motors. Commissioned a second lieutenant, Jackson attended flight training to become a Marine aviator.

Arriving in Vietnam in November 1968, Jackson flew more than 600 combat missions. He received four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 33 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, numerous campaign medals and most recently the Legion of Merit for service to his country.

Returning from Vietnam, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, testing aircraft for the military. He served as an aide-de-camp for a two-star general before leaving active duty as a Marine captain in 1977.

Jackson remained in the Marine Corps Reserves, achieving the rank of colonel. He was called back to active duty for Operation Desert Shield, serving as a Harrier instructor pilot.

In 1978, Jackson began working with Boeing Co. as a test pilot. In this role, he said, he tested virtually every type of U.S. fighter aircraft as well as two Russian fighters. In January 2004, he retired from his position as chief pilot-productions test with Boeing.

Voters elected Jackson to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002. He served as chairman of the Veterans Committee, chairman of the Joint Committee on Terrorism, Bioterrorism and Homeland Security and was a member of the Appropriations-Public Safety and Corrections and Ways and Means committees.

For his service to his country and his state, Jackson received the National Aeronautic Association's Elder Statesman of Aviation for 2004 award, the Aviation Week and Space Technology 1999 Laurels Award, the Legislator of the Year Award from the Missouri Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2003, 2005 and 2006 and the Legislator of the Year Award from the American Legion in 2004. He also was named the 2006 Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture recipient and received the National Aide-de-Camp Award from the commander of the National VFW.

Jackson and his wife, Arleen, have been married 46 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

The ceremony Monday will begin with the presentation of the colors by the Sikeston National Guard, followed by the national anthem by the Sikeston High School band, choir and orchestra. Brad Barnes, vice commander of the Sikeston American Legion Post 114, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rev. Jeff Lofton, minister of youth for the First Baptist Church, will give the Prayer of Remembrance.

A welcome by Blair Moran, Legion Post 114 chaplain, will be followed by remarks by Steve Taylor, chairman of the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee, then Jackson's speech.

The program also will include patriotic music by the Sikeston High School band, orchestra and choir along with a song performed by Steven Seawright and Anna Catherine DeHart. Tom Austin, a member of Legion Post 114, will speak about the importance of remembering soldiers who remain missing in action and prisoners of war. The ceremony will close with a 21-gun salute by the Sikeston National Guard and the playing of taps.

Pertinent address:

200 Pine St., Sikeston, Mo.