Local event planned to remember World War II end

A ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II will be held at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau at 2 p.m. Saturday. Called the "Spirit of '45," the event will mark the Aug. 14, 1945, war-end date and honor those who served, many paying the ultimate price.

Pearla Smith, volunteer coordinator for Southeast Hospice, leapt into action when she realized the date was approaching but nothing had been planned. Benchmark Printing, MidAmerica Hotels and Isle Casino Cape Girardeau joined Southeast Hospice to sponsor the event.

"They celebrate on the East and West coasts, but not in the middle of the country," Smith said. "We should be celebrating here."

We couldn't agree more.

The ceremony, emceed by Faune Riggon of KZIM, will include the Jackson Municipal Band, WW II veterans in uniform, the Cape Girardeau and Jackson chapters of the American Legion and Senior Girls 8, a group of senior students from Jackson High School, who will perform the national anthem. The featured speaker will be retired Staff Sgt. John Dragoni, also a WWII veteran. Perhaps the most moving part will be when 100-year-old Mike Stafford, the oldest veteran who lives at the Missouri Veterans Home, will be presented an American flag, which he will then present to the home.

Every veteran in attendance will be honored and receive a monogrammed commemorative hat, with "Spirit of '45 1945-2015" on the front and "Veteran of World War II" on the back.

Smith is anticipating a big crowd, as many as 400, she hopes, and told the Southeast Missourian that it will be "a first-of-its-kind celebration." She's also hoping that families of veterans -- even those no longer living -- will come, she said.

Though the home is supplying complimentary snacks and beverages, people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the rain-or-shine event. The Missouri National Guard will be erecting tents.

Please plan to attend this historic event to pay tribute to our veterans, to whom we are grateful. Think of it as another way of saying, "Thank you for your service."