VFW dedicates new building

Saturday was a day to honor the sacrifices of the past and celebrate the possibilities of the future as the Cape Girardeau VFW post, the largest in the state, held the official dedication of its new building on Kingshighway.

About 500 onlookers -- including U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, state Rep. Nathan Cooper and members of the local, state and national VFW -- gathered in the parking lot to watch as the VFW color guard raised an enormous American flag in front of the building, which was finished in late January.

"Fifty years ago they founded a post at this site," master of ceremonies Ron Acord told the crowd. "Today, we commission a new post here at the same site. Today, here at this place, we fulfill a promise to our brothers in arms that they might always be remembered."

Acord then introduced the oldest and youngest veterans in the post: 91-year-old World War II veteran Jim Foster, who has been a continuous member of the post since 1963, and 22-year-old Iraq war veteran Fred Evans, who joined the post in 2004 after receiving a medical discharge from wounds suffered in Iraq.

The two exchanged flags to symbolize the union between generations of veterans.

The celebration then moved inside, where additional speakers addressed the audience.

Kinder invoked Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address. "He talked about the need all Americans have to care for him who shall have borne the battle and his widow and his orphan," Kinder said.

"In the military you devoted yourself to a cause far greater than self. You walked always in the path of honor. This is so much more than just a building. It represents the goodness of our country, the fineness of our country and your place to serve the local community."

He was followed by Emerson, who also acknowledged the role of the veterans in continuing their service even after they came home from battle.

"The VFW here in Cape Girardeau is such an important institution in our community," said Emerson. "You're making the best use of this structure when you go out into the community and welcome others in. This is the most patriotic building in Cape Girardeau."

Cooper presented a resolution to commander Bud Hager in honor of the dedication.

Knudtson repeated the oft-spoken remarks that the new building was "so much more than bricks and mortar," that it represented the organization's commitment to the community.

It was past commander Roger Brown who spoke on behalf of the VFW, welcoming the future veterans of current conflicts.

"We have the best VFW in our organization," said Brown. "We want the new guys to carry on that tradition. We're dedicating this building to those brave young troops."

msanders@semissourian.com

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