JACKSON HONORS ITS U.S. VETERANS

Parade marshal: Grace Willie was parade marshal of the 2000 Jackson Veterans Day Parade. She was driven by Dr. John Holcomb in a 1911 Model T. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

POW/MIA: Flags reminding patrons of America's prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action were among those unfurled Nov. 11. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Legion marchers: Members of the Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post # 158 were among those marching in the Veterans Day parade. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Marching Chiefs: The Jackson High School marching Chiefs strutted their stuff during the 2000 Veterans Day Parade. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

While brisk temperatures and clouds marked the annual Veteran's Day Parade on Nov. 11, no rain fell on the event.

Jackson honored its veterans with an afternoon parade, featuring the Jackson High School, Jackson Junior High and Delta High School marching bands, as well as numerous scout troops, veterans groups, the Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post # 158 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 10495, the John Guild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Parade Marshal Grace Willie.

The day opened with a breakfast sponsored by the VFW, Save-A-Lot food stores and the AAL Lutheran Brotherhood Local Chapter # 1621. After the parade, the scene shifted to New McKendree United Methodist Church's Cox Memorial Hall, where a program was held. The Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post # 158 and the VFW Post # 10495 sponsored both the parade and the program respectively.

Opening remarks were made by Bill Sullivan, American legion Post # 158 commander. Colors were then presented by the VFW Post # 10495 and an invocation given by Emil Brase, VFW chaplain.

The New McKendree Choir entertained the crowd with a medley of patriotic songs and the National Anthem.

Ken Parrett, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, was the guest speaker. Parrett, a retired U.S. Army first sergeant, was a Desert Storm participant. Sullivan then made closing remarks.

"Today this nation is deeply in debt," Parrett said, "not a monetary debt, but a debt of blood, sacrifice and pain that our forefathers have paid into the bank of freedom and democracy so that we may all continue to collect the interest on this deposit every day of our lives.

"This is a debt that occasionally calls for a down payment of sacrifices on our own lands as well as internationally, when it comes due."

Veteran's Day began as Armistice Day. It marked the end of World War I, at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918 -- the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.