Memorial Day ceremonies honor those who served

Rain chased the traditional Memorial Day observance at Jackson indoors and forced the cancellation of the Cape Girardeau municipal band concert.

But the damp weather didn't deter about 100 people who took part in the Jackson event, which was moved indoors to American Legion Post 158. The ceremony was capped by the unveiling of a memorial display listing the names of people from the Jackson and Cape Girardeau areas who died in the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The display, which contains 218 names, will hang at the legion hall, post commander David Hitt said. "By this token, American Legion Post 158 will not forget those who have fallen," Hitt said.

As he gazed at the display after assisting with the unveiling, Jim Shank, father of Iraq war soldier Jeremy Shank, who was killed Sept. 6, 2006, had to brush his eyes. "I am always OK till I see his name," Shank said.

While the Jackson remembrance didn't have the traditional band concert, it did have all the other elements that focus the audience on the meaning of the sacrifices of soldiers and sailors. Freedom for all is the reward for the efforts of the men and women who have died serving the nation, Hitt said.

"We all know that freedom isn't free," he said. "Someone paid the price of freedom."

Former Air Force airborne tanker plane pilot Teresa Popp, the featured speaker in Jackson, said keeping alive the memories of the dead keeps their spirit alive. "I leave you with one thought today — just remember," she said as she closed her remarks.

The Jackson event is usually held at the entrance to the city cemetery in downtown Jackson. Sporadic, heavy rain through the morning hours pushed the event indoors.

Because the Cape Girardeau remembrance event is regularly held indoors at the Osage Community Centre, the weather was not a concern. But as the event was finishing, Ron Nall, director of the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band, announced that the Memorial Day concert at the Capaha Park band shell was canceled because of the likelihood of more rain and the soggy conditions in the park.

The band enthusiastically played patriotic airs and marches as about 250 people took their seats, with songs ranging from the 140th Infantry March, written for the World War I-era Southeast Missouri unit that included many members of the municipal band of that time, to a medley of service anthems to recognize each branch of the Armed Forces.

The Cape Girardeau celebration focused on veterans, living and dead. Several people in the crowd came by bus from the Missouri Veterans Home. "When our country and our way of life was threatened, you the veterans stepped up to the plate," said Bill Adams, a retired command master sergeant of the Missouri Army National Guard.

Adams reminded the crowd that the sacrifices of veterans aren't universally revered, even in the U.S. He took notice of the actions of the Berkeley, Calif., city council, which voted in January to try to block Marine Corps recruitment in that city.

"To the Berkeley city council, I say shame on you, shame on you," Adams said. "To the veterans, I salute you and say God Bless the U.S.A."

After Adams' speech, a wreath was brought forward and flowers symbolizing the courage, sacrifice and dedication of the fallen were placed on it. Richard Bollwerk, commandant of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1081 and master of ceremonies, said freedom is the gift they gave.

"Thanks to those patriots, Old Glory still flies over the land of the free and the home of the brave," he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

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