The Poplar Bluff Veterans’ Council and the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center will honor all veterans with a special program Monday at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Wall in front of the Black River Coliseum.
The event will feature a presentation of wreaths and a POW/MIA ceremony. Bardis Dismuke, veteran and vice president of VVA Chapter 1056, will deliver the keynote address. The Poplar Bluff High School Choir will perform, and the SEMO Honor Guard will conduct a 21-gun salute.
Originally, a 1968 law moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, public sentiment soon favored returning the observance to its traditional date of Nov. 11, recognizing its historical significance. Congress heeded this call and reinstated the original date in 1978.
Neelyville School District will also honor veterans in a special program at 9 a.m. Friday at the high school. Area veterans will be recognized by students during this event.
Poplar Bluff High School is also in the process of creating its own special veterans’ wall. The social studies department is working with students and staff to collect photographs and information on veterans with ties to this area.
“We are wanting to honor as many veterans as possible. This is the perfect opportunity for our students and our staff to learn about our veterans and hear their stories. This is a perfect opportunity for us to be able to keep history alive and make a connection that is often overlooked,” teacher Kim Clark said in a call out to students and staff to submit veterans for recognition.
Poplar Bluff Middle School will host its annual parade at 9:15 a.m. Monday at the campus. Veterans will drive through the parade loop in their own vehicles and around the PBMS campus.
Programs were also held Thursday by United Gospel Rescue Mission and Twin Rivers School District to recognize area veterans.
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