Veterans honored at Cape Girardeau, Jackson events

Despite the cold and breezy morning, the gathering room at the Missouri Veterans Home was entirely full of veterans, staff, volunteers and community members to pay tribute to those who have served the country.

They came together to honor veterans at a celebration called "Let Freedom Ring" organized by Southeast Hospice and the Veterans Home.

The American Legion Post 158 Honor Guard leads the Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, in Jackson. (Kristin Eberts)

The event was one of several in Southeast Missouri on Friday honoring the sacrifice of the nation's, and local, veterans.

"The freedom to vote wasn't earned by the politician, but by the veteran," state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said in an address at the veterans home. "The freedom of speech wasn't earned by the media, but by the veteran. The freedom of religion wasn't granted by the pastors, but earned by the veteran. Most of the luxuries we have today are because of you."

Former Republican state representative Mary Kasten also said a few words and the St. Andrew Lutheran Church bell choir performed a few songs.

"In the past we usually have several volunteers and staff that are willing to help with the transportation of the residents to the festivities around town. What we decided to do this year is to keep it right here at the Veterans Home. The idea makes it less of a hassle to the ones we are paying homage to," said Pearla Smith of Southeast Hospice.

As more than 20 volunteers helped the veterans to their seats they were handed a bell to ring for two minutes at 11 a.m., the time at which the armistice was signed to end World War I.

Southeast Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Pearla Smith rings bells as part of the "Let Freedom Ring" celebration on Veterans' Day, Nov. 11, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Veterans, local dignitaries, staff at the home, friends, family members and the St. Andrew Lutheran Church bell choir rang bells for two minutes at 11 a.m. in celebration of Veterans' Day. Southeast Hospice helped organize the event. (Submitted photo)

Mary Bauer, Miss Jackson 2011, opened the event with a song as the colors were brought in by the American Legion Post 158.

The Jackson American Legion post also co-hosted the annual Veterans Day parade. Participants lined up in front of the Jackson High School building at 3:30 p.m. and marched uptown to the courthouse, then down to Oklahoma Street and back to campus. The parade included many restored vintage military vehicles.

"It's been a tradition for us to come here every year ever since my nephew joined the Army a few years ago," said Liz Sander of Jackson. She was attending the parade with her two grandchildren.

Immediately following the parade was a patriotic ceremony at New McKendree Methodist Church. The featured speaker was retired Col. Clarence W. Suedekum Jr. A dinner honoring veterans and their families followed the ceremony.

Southeast Missouri State University joined 183 other colleges and universities in the National Roll Call -- a synchronized reading of the names of 6,331 casualties of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"We have 26 volunteers that will read around 215 names each," said Emily Oliveira, who helped coordinate the event. The university also hosted a special luncheon for staff and student veterans after a minute of silence at 11 a.m.

"This is the first year that Southeast has taken part in the event but with the rise of veterans coming back home and attending school I can see it continuing in the future," Oliveira said.

Veterans were also honored at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner -- a highly visible spot for a tribute with its location at Broadway and West End Boulevard. VFW Post 3838 presented the colors with help from the American Legion. Retired United States Marine Glenn Schneider was the guest speaker and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary placed a commemorative wreath which symbolized the sacrifice of veterans.