Letter to Editor: Honoring our heroes: community unites for Wreaths Across America at Memorial Gardens

Dear Editor,

The Poplar Bluff Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (PBDAR) extends heartfelt thanks to all for their generous sponsorship, time, and resources which made Wreaths Across America possible for the 877 veterans buried at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Poplar Bluff.

We wish to recognize the Poplar Bluff High School’s principal Dr. Valerie Ivy, for allowing students from National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Spanish Club to place the field flags which mark the veterans’ graves.

Thanks to Julie Brashler, PBDAR regent, for emceeing the ceremony, to Pat Libla, PBDAR chaplain, for praying and to Margaret Shackelford for leading the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Students from the Billy Gene Kanell JROTC battalion of Poplar Bluff presented the colors. Twin Rivers Junior High students who led the pledge of allegiance were Jacob Acre, Callie Acup, Kently Austin, Natalie Burke, Katie Kirkman, Devin Leutert, Marcy McBroom, Emeri Miller, Samantha Oglevie, and Ella Vancil. Handing out programs were Maggie and Izzy Rost, New Madrid, Missouri, and Jill Polk, Matthews, Missouri, and Kayli Miller who assisted with handing out programs and thank you notes.

Those placing ceremonial wreaths were: Darlene Glieck, Army; Jason Eldridge, Marines; Greg Hill, Navy; Landon Huffman, Air Force; Roy Lee, Army; Bardis Dismuke, Army; Dr. Larry Kimbrow, Navy; and Dr. Aaron Cornman, Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools.

We were privileged to have Robert Wake of the Wake Foundation give the keynote address. State representatives Cameron Bunting and Hardy Billington presented a proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives. Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Parson read the proclamation from the city of Poplar Bluff. The ceremony was closed with Taps played by Steve Winters of PBHS.

The PBDAR extends thanks to Ozark Border Electric Cooperative who allowed us to receive and store the wreaths transported from Maine, and crew that unloaded the truck.

Thanks to The Daily American Republic and River Radio for their coverage. Also, thanks to AMC Theater for allowing the use of their parking lot and to First Baptist Church for the van and its driver, Brian Munson. We recognize the cemetery section leaders who prepared the wreaths for placing this morning and Henson’s Transfer Station who will dispose of the wreaths after pickup on Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. Volunteers will be needed that morning.

We are especially grateful to Steve and Susan Gillihan owners of Memorial Gardens and their staff for sponsoring this location and for providing cemetery records. If you are aware of any veteran we have missed, please contact Margaret Shackleford at 573-714-4177.

Wreaths Across America Foundation is offering a temporary 2-for-2 sale on wreaths of remembrance orders for 2025 from Dec. 14-Jan. 15 only. You may submit donations to PBDAR, 334 Co Rd 256, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. We appreciate your continued support as we begin plans for 2025 at Memorial Gardens.

Our chapter truly thanks everyone involved to “Remember the Fallen, Honor Those Who Serve, and Teach Our Children the Value of Freedom.”