VETERANS DAY: ACTIVITIES PLANNED IN AREA TO PAY TRIBUTE

A Veterans Day Tribute, researched and performed by Cape Girardeau Central High students, highlights the city's annual observance Wednesday.

Veterans Day observances are planned throughout the country, including programs in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Chaffee.

Some 800 people are expected at the Central High Tribute, which begins with a reception at 9 a.m., with the program at 9:45.

Veterans and members of the public are invited, said Julia Jorgenson, Renaissance coordinator at the school.

Each year, the number of veterans and other guests has grown. She said, "We hope to see an increase again this year."

Veterans will be honored through essays, researched and written by students and presented by student actors.

Music and poetry are incorporated into the 45-minute program that details the role of Missourians and Cape Girardeau residents in the war efforts of America's past.

"We try to make the tribute a little different each year," Jorgenson said. "The tribute this year recognizes the Red Cross, and veterans from each war as well as peacetime veterans."

Students are collecting items for the Red Cross to send to troops in Bosnia.

The program is scheduled to last about 45 minutes, giving guests a chance to attend the Veterans Day observance at Freedom Corner in Capaha Park at 11 o'clock.

The public is invited to the program, sponsored by Cape Girardeau American Legion Post 63.

During the ceremony, the post will present a new POW-MIA flag to the city.

Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney and Ret. Lt. Col. Ian Sutherland will give the Veterans Day address. Sutherland, a highly decorated officer, served three tours in Vietnam and participated in the formation of the Army Special Forces.

In Jackson, a Veterans Day parade and program will be held Wednesday evening. The parade begins at 5 at the Jackson Frozen Food Locker. Parade marshal is Vera Wagner.

The program follows the parade at 6 at the Jackson American Legion Hall. Speaker will be Lt. Col. King Sidwell, battalion commander of the 1140th Engineer Battalion in Jackson.

The program and parade are sponsored by VFW Post 10495, American Legion Post 158 and the Ladies Auxiliaries.

Chaffee schools will hold a Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mark Whitaker Field. Area veterans and service personnel and the public are invited.

The Chaffee High School band and the elementary school choir will perform. In addition, Dr. Melvin Gainer of Dexter, one of Missouri's most decorated World War II veterans, will speak. Gainer served with Gen. George Patton and landed on Utah Beach on D-Day.