Local groups organizing Memorial Day events

Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City will honor veterans with Memorial Day observances organized by local veterans organizations Monday.

Observances are also scheduled at the Sikeston, Mo., Veterans Park and the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo.

The cities will all host observances similar to those they host every year.

Jackson will have the earliest start, with its service at 9 a.m. at the entrance of the Jackson City Cemetery on North High Street, organized by the Jackson American Legion post. The Jackson Municipal Band will begin the observance with patriotic music. The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer of Emmanuel United Church of Christ will be the featured speaker.

Cape Girardeau County Auditor David Ludwig, who is a member of American Legion Post 158 in Jackson and Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, said the Jackson City Cemetery is an appropriate setting for the event because soldiers are buried there from the 1800s.

"Many people want to come to the U.S. because we have a free system. While enjoying your Memorial Day weekend, reflect on the people who lost their lives in the past, people who are not here to enjoy those freedoms, who gave up their freedoms to enable others to pursue their dreams," Ludwig said.

Cape Girardeau will follow with a service at the Osage Community Centre. Doors will open at 10 a.m., with the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band starting off the observance at 10:30 a.m. The observance is organized by the Joint Veterans Council, an alliance of Cape Girardeau veterans organizations.

Event organizer Roy Rhodes said about 400 people are expected to attend, a number that has stayed steady over the past few years. U.S. Army Maj. Craig Gatzemeyer, a decorated veteran of the Iraq war who has served since 1986 and a Southeast Missouri State alumnus, will be the keynote speaker.

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band will also perform a special Memorial Day concert at 7:30 p.m. in Capaha Park, and the Joint Veterans Council will be placing an Avenue of Flags at Cape County Park North and the Missouri Veterans Home.

Scott City's observance, organized by the Scott City VFW, will start at 11 a.m. at Lightner Cemetery or at the Scott City VFW Hall in case of rain. The Rev. Bob Azinger will be the featured speaker, and singers will deliver musical tributes. Winners of the Scott City Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests will read their essays.

Sikeston's Memorial Day service begins at 10:30 a.m., while the Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield will start its observance at 1 p.m.

Municipal, state and federal government offices, including post offices, will be closed in observance of the holiday. Southeast Missourian offices also will be closed.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182