Honoring those who served

Saturday's Veterans Day parade didn't have its usual complement of bands. By Monday, no high school or college bands had agreed to join Saturday's parade, according to Deborah Griffen, president of the local VFW Ladies Auxiliary. The bands were either busy or had conflicting schedules, she said.

But Saturday's parade was uplifted with live music from Central High School's fife and drum corp, four members of the Jerry Ford Band and a sound system.

Five-year-old Taye Seise recognized the "Yankee Doodle" tune and shouted out "Barney," when he recognized it. He and 2-year-old Keariean Cole were in the care of Mary Walker of Cape Girardeau, who was persuaded to stop and watch the parade because the fire trucks, a natural magnet to preschoolers, had gotten the children's attention.

The "Yankee Doodle" arrangement was written for the Central High School fife and drum corp by sophomore Jennifer Willis and freshman Bart Pittman in three days. The group rehearsed under the direction of band directors Josh LaMar and Billy Keys outside of regular band time. LaMar said the small group from the Central band was student-led. He said the band was contacted late for Saturday's performance -- about three weeks ago -- and it's hard to get 93 people ready to do a performance in that time.

"We set a yearly schedule in June," LaMar said.

More publicity needed

Despite the lack of typical band support, VFW member Bob Wade said, "This is a parade this post needs." Wade said they got less response than expected because the parade was held after Veterans Day.

VFW Post 3838 commander Clem Crain felt it was a bit disrespectful that cars were still parked on the street that should have been moved at 2 a.m. He said that more publicity had been needed, and that was why the parade's circumstances were not idea.

Retired Boy Scout Leader Jerry Hampton handed out U.S. flags, and children collected piles of candy thrown to them by parade participants. MacKenzie Patterson, 9, stood by her mountain of candy, excitedly awaiting more. She said she learned about the Veterans Day parade in school. Her mother, Keiki Patterson, said MacKenzie and her 6-year-old brother Nathan wanted to come.

Smiling through her tears, Joann Surface of Chaffee, Mo., said she was happy to be at the parade. It was a sort of tribute to her 27-year-old granddaughter, Christina Cook, serving with the 1140th Engineer Battalion, who left from California a few days ago to serve in Iraq.

"She left her 6-year-old daughter behind," Surface said.

Her sister-in-law, Betty Pearman, who is also a great-aunt to Cook, provided moral support for Surface. Pearman, also of Chaffee, said, "We don't usually miss a military parade. It's a committment to support our troops and our country."

She doesn't agree with the war but advocates those who do what they're sworn in to do.

"All we can do is pray that God will watch over them," said Surface.

At the parade's conclusion, about 180 people crowded around Freedom Corner to listen to the tribute to veterans. Red, white and blue clothing glowed in the sun amid billowing flags while the Rev. Tom Zych, state chaplain for the Marine Corps League, revisited the history of wars fought by U.S. soldiers. Zych invited the audience to offer a special tribute with applause to Vietnam veterans who received no welcome-home parades. His message that freedom is not free resounded through his speech, with special emphasis on the hope that God would make the nation's current efforts victorious, lend consolation to those who grieve and never allow heroes to be forgotten.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133