Editor's note: Buhs won this year's Spirit of America Award. He was also nominated twice, the other by Harry Rediger.

NOMINATING ORGANIZATION: Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce

NOMINEE'S CHURCH, CHARITABLE AND SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS: Past president of the Cape Girardeau Exchange Club, past president of Greater Cape Girardeau Development Corp.; member of SEMO Redhawks Club; past member Copper Dome Society; past interim Ward 6 city council member; past member Planning and Zoning Commission; past board member of SEMO Regional Port Authority; past president Missouri Limestone Producers; past member United States Committee on Mines and Mining.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THIS NOMINEE DEMONSTRATES THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA?

Ray Buhs was in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II and also served in Korea during the Korean War. After returning to Cape Girardeau, he became a prominent local businessman, serving as vice president of Federal Materials Corp., and then Southeast Missouri Stone. He was committed to his workers and served for 14 years as the chair of the safety committee for the Missouri Limestone Producers. He received the certificate of honor from the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association in Washington, D.C.

After retirement, he became even more active (if that's possible). He served this area in numerous nonpaid volunteer positions and helped shape both the community and economic development.

He was very active in Greater Cape as the Nash Road Industrial Park was developed and served many years on the city planning and zoning commission during a time of much development and planning. He served on the SEMO Port board for eight years and even did a stint on the Cape Girardeau City Council as an interim fill-in. He has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for more than 60 years.

He has been active with the university on both the Booster Board and the Copper Dome Society.

Ray is in his 90s, but you still see him at many community functions. His love for people, his country, and his community for more than nine decades is, frankly, unbelievable.