More than 100 area veterans, family members, and supporters gathered on a clear and sunny Memorial Day at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff to pay tribute to military service members who gave their lives in service to the United States.
The annual event was organized 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 speakers were Wayne Wilkerson, a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, who served in the Vietnam War, and Gail Aubuchon, the daughter of Jesse Fox, a cousin and comrade of Billie Gene Kanell.
Wilkerson urged those in attendance to “honor and show our respect to those who gave all in defense of their country.”
Wilkerson said, “We owe our fallen comrades the respect they deserve.”
Aubuchon said that her father and Kanell were cousins who were raised together like brothers, and who joined the military together at age 19.
Fox was one of the men in the foxhole in Korea who was saved when Kanell, whom Aubuchon described as “my father’s best friend,” fell on an enemy grenade, giving his life to save Fox and a second soldier.
Kanell received a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor for his sacrifice. Aubuchon said that for her father, however, “The war was never gone—it lingered in his head every day.”
James Warren, Interim Medical Center Director at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, delivered the message from the Veterans Administration.
Warren’s remarks focused on the upcoming 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Europe during World War Two, saying that those who served showed “steadfast devotion to a noble cause.”
He quoted WWII General George S. Patton in saying, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died; rather, we should thank God that they lived.”
Warren concluded his address saying, “These American heroes served and sacrificed for us all.”
Emmett Morgan, U.S. Navy Retired, delivered the POW/MIA presentation in remembrance of prisoners of war and those missing in action whose fates remain unknown.
“The sweetness of enduring peace comes with the bitterness of personal sacrifice,” Morgan said. “Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.”
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.
Deborah Morgan sang both the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”
The posting of the U.S. and Missouri flags was done by the Poplar Bluff High School JROTC, and a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps” was performed by the SEMO Honor Guard.