Generations in Valor celebrates nation's values

A remarkable event will take place tomorrow at the Show Me Center.

Called Generations in Valor, it is a daylong celebration of the values of the vanishing World War II generation.

Still, it is far more than that. This is an ambitious attempt to begin mentoring young people from schools throughout the region, instructing them and leading them toward the values of what has rightly been called "the Greatest Generation."

And, in an exciting development Monday, veteran, former senator and former presidential candidate Bob Dole committed to attending the event and speaking to participants. Certainly, Dole has much to add.

Planners, who have been working hard for months to pull this off, say they expect 1,200 students from area schools.

Much effort and planning has gone into the event. Organizers succeeded in getting former President George Bush to tape a brief video, adding his message to those who will attend. Bush was the youngest pilot in the Navy and was shot down by the Japanese in the South Pacific in 1944.

And veterans will be visiting with the students about their military experiences, as will recruiters from all branches of the armed services.

We encourage all readers of whatever age to head up to the Show Me Center for as long as you can attend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or for the evening reception beginning at 6:30. The daylong event is free. Tickets for the evening reception, which is a fund raiser for the Stars and Stripes Museum Association in Bloomfield, Mo., are $25.

Special recognition should go to Cape Girardeau surgeon Dr. Joel Ray. This special Generations in Valor Day is his brainchild.

Ray would be the first to shine the spotlight on local veterans organizations, who have played their indispensable role, as well as on event coordinator Denis Rigdon of Project Hope and on dozens of hardworking volunteers.

We salute this noteworthy undertaking as representative of the finest in American values.