Variety of events to mark Veterans Day

Editor's note: The time for Sunday's Standing Ovation concert has been corrected.

Several events in Southeast Missouri will mark Veterans Day starting Sunday, from traditional observances to musical performances.

On Sunday, as part of the Standing Ovation concert in Shuck Music Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, Lori Shaffer and Leslie Jones of Southeast's music department will present "Lori and Leslie Do Lerner and Lowe," plus a Veterans Day tribute to benefit the Southeast Missouri Music Academy.

Their performance is scheduled for 4 p.m., and starts with the presentation of colors followed by the recognition of veterans in attendance. At the show's closing, "Taps" will be played as the colors are retired.

Tickets for the concert are $6 for veterans and $10 for the public.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony at Freedom Corner in Capaha Park is at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Joint Veterans Council will pay tribute to veterans and those in uniform, and Commander Richard Kinsey of the U.S. Naval Reserve in Memphis, Tenn., will be the speaker. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary will place a commemorative wreath, and after the benediction the Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Marine Corps League Detachment 1081 will perform a rifle salute followed by "Taps."

Steve Seyller, commandant of the local Marine Corps League, said the ceremony is a local tradition.

"This is the event we have every Veterans Day," Seyller said. "We'd like for people to attend the ceremony Sunday and take part in honoring our country's veterans and those who are serving their country right now."

Also on Sunday will be a ham and bean dinner at Trail of Tears Bar and Grill in Cape Girardeau from 1 p.m. to whenever.

Operated by the not-for-profit USA Veterans, the establishment will be formally dedicated with a ribbon-cutting.

Rodger Brown, commander of the Cape Girardeau chapter of USA Veterans and a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Air Force, said Trail of Tears helps fund veterans programs and he wants to invite everyone to come Sunday and see what the new place is all about.

"We'll have some activities planned in honor of Veterans Day, particularly our 'Toast to the Veteran Who Isn't Here,'" he said. "We'd sure like to have people come by and enjoy a meal with us. This is a friendly place with a nice atmosphere."

Events Monday include the annual Veterans Day parade in Jackson. Starting at 4 p.m., the parade is hosted by Jackson's American Legion Post 158 and VFW Post 10495.

"Any organization or group can participate," said David Ludwig of American Legion Post 158. "We're going to have high school bands from Jackson, Oak Ridge and Delta, and we're also going to have several floats from organizations who have entered the parade. There will also be military vehicles from World War II."

Ludwig said this year's parade marshal will be P.M. Kurre, former Navy Seabee, and after the parade will be a patriotic ceremony at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. The speaker for the program will be Dennis Woeltje, also a former Navy Seabee, and after the program, the church will host a dinner honoring all veterans.

Area schools also are participating in Veterans Day assemblies. At 9 a.m. Monday, Jackson High School's choir will present a program honoring veterans. It will include a tribute to U.S. Air Force Major Garrett Knowlan, a 1998 graduate of Jackson High School who recently died in Florida during a training exercise. Kelly High School in Benton, Mo., also will host its Thank-A-Veteran assembly from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday. Veterans are invited to stay after the program to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Veterans Day events

• Standing Ovation concert, Shuck Music Hall, 1 p.m. Sunday
• Ceremony at Freedom Corner, 11 a.m. Sunday
• Trail of Tears Bar and Grill dedication, 1 p.m. Sunday
• Jackson Veterans Day parade, 4 p.m. Monday

Pertinent address:

209 South High Street, Jackson, Mo.

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Broadway and North West End Boulevard, Cape Girardeau, Mo.