More than 130 former members of the National Guard gathered at the Poplar Bluff Armory recently for breakfast, to share memories and salute departed comrades for the 25th Annual Southeast Missouri National Guard Breakfast and Reunion.
"The focus continues to be on renewing friendships with former fellow soldiers from near and far away," Chief Warrant Officer 4, Retired Cecil Brake said.
The reunion began in 1992 as a suggestion from Robert Manns, Active Army/National Guard veteran and former Butler County Commissioner. He suggested to Brake the idea to host an event for area retirees to gather and reminisce about their military service and current activities.
Brake, who has served as the long time chair of the event committee, compiled a list of retirees he was acquainted with and sent post cards to around three dozen area retirees in hopes to start an annual reunion.
The first gathering was at the now demolished Northwald Restaurant in Poplar Bluff. About 30 retirees attended and time was spent mingling and chatting.
The reunions are open to anyone who served in the National Guard in the Bootheel. Attendees hailed from Dexter, Kennett, Cape Girardeau and even some currently as far away as Oklahoma and Arizona joined the group.
Brake, aided by the late Art Cole, Fred Crook, Phillip Greenway, Jim Harris, John Kearbey, Richard LaMunion, Joe Morton, Junior Pyle, George Thurston and Danny Thomas, planned and staged the reunion.
Brake joined the Poplar Bluff unit in 1947 at 17 years old and worked for the National Guard until he retired as a full-time employee in 1990.
Brake and Kearbey, who was also a former full-time employee of the Poplar Bluff National Guard Maintenance Shop, were original participants in the first reunion.
Several notable attendees from this past year were retirees who joined a Guard unit in the 1950s, some being in the National Guard for over 40 years at retirement.
Four former Commanders of the Poplar Bluff unit, Michael Church, Phillip Dixon, Dwight Hardin and Stan Matlock, were on hand.
Retired Brigadier General Charles Kruse and his wife, Pam, of Dexter were present as well.
Debra Havens, retirement service officer of the Missouri National Guard Headquarters in Jefferson City, was on site this year to assist retirees with questions about various benefit programs. Glen Seutter traveled from Ft. Riley, Kan., to inform retirees about the Tri-Care military health insurance program and details about health services and coverage.
The reunion has been sponsored by First Midwest Bank for the past 10 years and door prizes were donated by Commerce Bank.
Former members of the National Guard are invited to attend next year's SEMO National Guard Reunion at a date to be scheduled in October.