Historical presentations, walks, services planned Memorial Day weekend

For many, Memorial Day means picnics, barbecue and an extended weekend. But the federal holiday was created in order to remember the military men and women who died in the line of duty. Ceremonies have been planned throughout the region to remember those fallen soldiers.

Cape Girardeau

Beginning on Saturday and continuing through Monday, Civil War history will come alive at Fort D, the last of Missouri’s urban forts. Sponsored by local members of the Turner Brigade Association, local re-enactors in historically accurate uniforms will honor the memory of veterans past and present. Artillery and cannon fire will be a part of the program. Admission is free and the family-friendly event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

Multiple events are planned in the area Monday, beginning at 9 a.m. with Carry the Load, a memorial walk to remember men and women who died in uniform, including not only soldiers but also police, firefighters and other rescue workers. Walkers will meet at 9 a.m. at the rivergate in downtown Cape Girardeau and proceed to the Osage Centre, and then to Cape County Park North for a barbecue.

Jacob Fish, an organizer for the event, said Carry the Load is meant to restore the meaning of Memorial Day and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while in uniform. All are welcome to join the walk, Fish said, and those unable to walk are welcome to join in the park festivities. The activity is free, but donations are accepted.

Carry the Load will coincide with the 11 a.m. Memorial Day service at the Osage Centre, which is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Joint Veterans Council. The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band will start playing at 10:30 a.m., and the program itself, featuring guest speaker Cpl. Lawson B. Burgfeld will follow.

Roy Rhodes, an organizer for the event, said a light lunch would follow at the VFW.

In the afternoon, the Marine Corps League will be rededicating the Ervin J. Emrick memorial at Cape Rock Park at 3 p.m. Monday. With the city’s approval, the Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment of the Marine Corps League took on the responsibility of maintaining the flags and the memorial. Jim Maevers, commandant of the detachment said Marines have spent countless hours preparing the park for this rededication, and the Red Star Neighborhood Revival Garden Club have flowers and plants in the new flower bed provided by the Parks Department. Lt. Nick McIntosh, who served alongside Staff Sgt. Emrick at the time of his death, will speak at the rededication ceremony.

Parking at the memorial site is limited. Isle Casino Cape Girardeau will provide a shuttle from its parking lot to the site starting at 2:30 p.m.

Jackson

A Memorial Day celebration will take place at 9 a.m. Monday at Jackson City Cemetery. The Jackson Municipal Band will play, and the Commander Clint Tracey, presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County, will be a guest speaker. A light meal will be served at the American Legion Hall after the event.

“We put out flags on all the veterans’ graves the Friday before and the Saturday morning before Memorial Day,” David Hitt of American Legion Post 158 said. “Each veteran’s grave in the old cemetery and the Russell Heights Cemetery will have a flag on it.”

Hitt said they plan to distribute more than 1,200 flags before the celebration.

Marble Hill

A ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the veterans memorial outside the Marble Hill, Missouri, Courthouse to honor soldiers in Bollinger County who were killed in action, according to Raymond Armstrong, commander for Marble Hill Post 5900.

On Sunday, a memorial service will be held at the Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery, including a 21-gun salute.

The events continue into Monday, when the VFW will post flags in Memorial Park.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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