SCOTT CITY, MOUND CITY HONOR VETERANS

Two cities recognized veterans' contributions in Memorial Day ceremonies Saturday.

About 100 people attended a Memorial Day service at Mound City National Cemetery in Illinois. Speakers at the ceremony included U.S. Rep. Glen Poshard, D-Marion, Ill., and Meridian High School student Anita Palmisano, who read an essay she wrote about preserving the 133-year-old cemetery.

Palmisano said the federal government should "spend a little money to preserve the past," instead of going through with a proposal to tear down the caretaker's lodge.

The lodge was erected in 1875 as an on-site home for the cemetery superintendent. It is vacant and in need of repair. Palmisano echoed the sentiments of a group that is trying to have the building placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Poshard, a candidate for Illinois governor, said Memorial Day should be just one of many days when Americans remember the sacrifices of veterans.

"The price of freedom is great, but Americans have always paid it," he said.

Poshard said he was speaking especially on behalf of those veterans who are listed as missing in action and could still be prisoners of war. He said those soldiers have not yet experienced the joys of coming home, but "we refuse to say never until we are sure of their final destination."

Ben Flerlage, past commander of the Illinois AMVETS, also spoke at the ceremony. He said he recently encountered a group of people who did not know the origin or the meaning of Memorial Day.

Flerlage said a problem with America today is military personnel do not have the public behind them. He said when soldiers are sent into battle, the public often argues that they shouldn't be there.

"Don't blame the military; they're only doing their jobs," he said.

In Scott City, a black granite slab with the names of 50 area veterans inscribed on it was dedicated in a ceremony Saturday at Scott City Municipal Park.

George Pendergrass, a ceremony organizer, said the Scott City Area Veterans Memorial was the culmination of a dream and the hard work necessary to see it through.

"Nothing is ever accomplished until you have a concept. The difference between those who lead and those who don't lead is the ability to act on that," he said.

The 6-foot-tall, 24-inch-wide slab is just the beginning of a row of similar memorials that will be added to the 10-foot base. Pendergrass said 52 names have been collected for the next slab, which should be completed in about three months.

He added that the memorial is for those veterans in the Scott City area -- "anyone within that 264 calling area is eligible."

Lloyd Young, a 36-year veteran of the Army National Guard, was one of the first 50 men whose names are on the memorial. He said it is a visible recognition of veterans and their service to the country.

"Anyone in the area who serves at any time should be able to add their name to the wall," he said.