Jackson marks Veterans Day with ceremonies, parades

They donned caps adorned with military pins and greeted each other with pats on the back and "How are you doing?" as they filed into the New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

They laughed and smiled as they found their seats while the organ played "God Bless America."

They stood as the colors were presented, helping those who needed assistance. It was silent.

"Salute," a voice called, and the veterans raised their hands to their foreheads.

Local veterans and their families filled the pews Monday at a patriotic Veterans Day ceremony to honor those who are serving or who have served in the armed forces.

Guest speaker Sheryl Smith, retired U.S. Navy chief and American Legion Department of Missouri 14th district commander, addressed the audience at the ceremony that followed the Veterans Day parade in uptown Jackson.

Smith began her speech by speaking of the younger generation's following of reality TV shows. It's important to remember who the real stars are, she said, referring to the 3,463 servicemen and servicewomen who have earned the Medal of Honor.

Sheila Faire attended the Veterans Day parade with her husband, and also spoke of the importance of the next generation honoring veterans.

The Faires have "veterans galore" in their family, including a son who is an Iraq War veteran and brothers who are Vietnam War veterans.

It is important for children to see adults honoring veterans, she said. If parents don't honor veterans, then their children won't.

Smith spoke of her experience in the U.S. Navy, including her time in the Persian Gulf War during operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and how prayer and mail helped her get through her time overseas away from her family.

Veterans Day is "a day for celebration of service, not for war or conflict," she said.

Even those comrades and shipmates who were not in combat and served their country during peacetime "share the oath of willingness to die defending this nation," and their service also should be celebrated, she said.

Veterans Day comes and goes every year, but this year's Veterans Day may have been a little different for Vietnam veterans.

Near the end of the ceremony, Bobby Payne, commander of VFW Post 10495, said the VFW wished to properly welcome home Vietnam War veterans who did not receive such when they returned from war.

"I say, welcome home comrades," Payne said.

One individual, a veteran reservist, did not wish for their name to be made public.

"I don't deserve it," they said, referring instead to a man who sat in front of them during the ceremony who was a Vietnam veteran.

A Vietnam veteran in attendance was Charles Kohler, who served with the U.S. Army overseas for one year. He has lived in Jackson for about 25 years.

The welcoming Payne and the VFW extended to Vietnam veterans was "good" Kohler said, but things are different for soldiers now than they were during the Vietnam War.

Kohler said he was alone during the war -- by himself. He did not have 40 or 50 comrades with him as some soldiers do now, he said.

Kohler also did not have a choice to join the military, as some believe he did, he said.

"Nobody asked you to do it," Kohler said he has heard from others. He strongly disagrees.

Even so, Kohler said it makes him feel good when he is recognized for his service, and if he had to do it all over again, "I guess I would," he said.

ashedd@semissourian.com

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