More than 100 area veterans, family members and supporters gathered on Memorial Day at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff to pay tribute to those military service members who gave their lives in service to the United States.
The annual event was emceed by Larry Kimbrow, a retired lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 1056.
This year’s keynote speaker was Michael Shane, a retired U.S. Army Ranger, who served as a helicopter pilot both in the military and with Air Evac Lifeteam.
Shane paid tribute to fallen service members from Butler County who served in each American war since World War I, emphasizing how county residents have always answered the call to serve the nation’s defense.
“We remember for now, as the old ballad goes, ‘The bugles are silent, there’s rust on their swords and those who fought for freedom lie asleep in the arms of the Lord.’ They are forever young in our hearts,” Shane said. “Butler County, we’re still on duty. Our men and women are deployed worldwide. My son recently returned from Afghanistan with a Bronze Star.
“He’s an Airborne Ranger like his father; he served in Korea like his father and his grandfather. He is currently forwardly deployed in Eastern Europe. I am so proud of him; I am so proud of all of our young men, women, and veterans who said, ‘Here we are—send us.’”
Shane’s concluding remarks were met with a standing ovation from the crowd.
John Wesemann, U.S. Navy retired, delivered the POW/MIA presentation in remembrance of prisoners of war and those missing in action whose fates remain unknown.
“Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all our comrades will soon be back within our ranks. Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices,” Wesemann said.
“May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families,” he concluded. “You are not forgotten so long as there is only one left to whom your memory remains.”
Rebecca Foy, acting assistant director for patient care services at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, delivered the message from the Veterans Administration.
“It is our obligation to show gratitude and support for our Gold Star Families who lost their loved ones in the defense of our nation,” she said. “We owe it to them to pay respect and reflect on the high cost of freedom which they know too well.”
Foy also singled out Vietnam Veterans on the anniversary of American troop withdrawals from Vietnam in 1973.
“The VA estimates there more than 6 million Vietnam veterans alive today,” Foy said. “With the 50th anniversary of the war’s conclusion, I ask you to take a moment and thank a Vietnam veteran for serving so bravely and unselfishly. It’s never too late to say thank you.”
Kimbrow, who served in Vietnam, pointed out that among the renovations and improvements to the Veteran’s Memorial, the names of Butler County servicemen lost in Vietnam have been added to the inner marble columns.
He then read each of the names inscribed on the column. The names of those lost in Korean, World War II, and World War I will be added in the future.
Also included as part of the ceremony were floral wreath presentations by AMVETS Auxiliary Post 29, American Legion Auxiliary Post 153, VFW Auxiliary Post 6477, and VVA Associates Chapter 1056,
Debbie Morgan sang both the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”
The posting of the U.S. flag and a 21-gun salute were done by the SEMO Honor Guard.