Spirit of America Award recognizes records of service

Each year we are impressed with the nominations for the Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award.

The nominees come from different backgrounds. Some served our country in the armed forces. Others were giants in the community. Still others quietly made a difference, working with little public recognition.

The goal of this award is to recognize those who serve. The newspaper is now accepting nominations for the 13th annual Spirit of America Award. The deadline to submit a nomination is June 11. Nominees will be announced in the July 2 edition of the Southeast Missourian. The award winner will be recognized before the Great American 4th of July Fireworks on the River in downtown Cape Girardeau.

If the award winner is nominated by an organization, the nominating group will receive a $1,000 cash prize. If nominated by an individual, the recipient will designate a charity to receive the monetary award.

We encourage all civic, community, church and patriotic groups as well individuals to put forth names of individuals deserving of recognition. Nominations may be made by using the form that periodically runs in the print edition of the Southeast Missourian or online at semissourian.com/spirit.

Past nominees for the Spirit of America Award include John "Doc" Yallaly, Dr. Dan Cotner, Melvin Gateley, Neal Edwards, James Harnes Sr., Jane Randol Jackson, Harry Rediger, Rob Callahan, David Hitt, Kent Zickfield, Kenneth Bender and Mary Kasten.

It's an impressive list of individuals who love this area and our country. Their patriotism and servant hearts exemplify what this award is about.

To all those who serve, we offer our thanks. The Southeast Missourian looks forward to recognizing many of you this summer.