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Groups step up to honor veterans

Tradition ceremony Wednesday at courthouse

Published: Monday, November 30, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:55 AM CST

VFW members end the Veterans Day ceremonies with a volley of salutes by the rifle squad at last year's annual ceremony at the St. Francois County Courthouse. - File photo

Several services and ceremonies are planned to honor area veterans this week with the first beginning tonight.

West County High School band and choir students, along with the Leadington VFW Post 5741, will present a patriotic concert at 7 o’clock tonight at the high school gymnasium.

On Wednesday, the Parkland will celebrate Veterans Day with a traditional ceremony at the St. Francois County Courthouse in Farmington.

Farmington High School’s Black Knight Marching Band will perform prior to the 11 a.m. ceremony. VFW Post 5896 Chaplain Joel Meador will open the ceremony with an invocation, followed by posting of the colors by the Farmington High School Air Force Junior ROTC under the leadership of Cadet Capt. William Elledge and United States Air Force Lt. Col. Steven Wenninger.

VFW Post 5896 Commander Tony Carroll will introduce guest speakers State Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, State Rep. Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, and Farmington Mayor Stuart Landrum.

Special guest Bob Wonnell, VFW department senior vice commander, will present a special citation of recognition award to Leonard “Mac” McFadden, a 72-year member of the VFW.

The placing of wreaths is scheduled at 11:45 a.m. and will include wreaths from American Legion Post 416, Disabled American Veterans, VFW Post 5896, AMVETS Post 113, American War Mothers and Daughters of the American Revolution.

The ceremony will end with a rifle salute by the VFW Post 5896 rifle squad, led by Jerry Rawlins, the playing of “Taps” by Farmington High School Band bugler Kayla Drye and benediction by Meador.

Following the ceremony, veterans are invited for food and refreshments at VFW Post 5896 on Karsch Boulevard, Farmington.

Also on Wednesday, A Veterans Day celebration will be held at 11 a.m. at North County High School’s gymnasium in Bonne Terre. A plaque will be dedicated in memory of Staff Sgt. Michael Deason. There will be a presentation of a memorial board to honor veterans who graduated from North County. A potluck lunch will be served to veterans afterward.

Desloge will have a dedication ceremony at the new basketball court in the city park at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The court was renovated in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Deason, 28, Desloge, who was killed in Iraq on Aug. 31, 2006.

The Applebee’s chain has a nationwide program this year to provide a free entrée to all veterans who dine in their restaurants on Veterans Day and Presbyterian Manor in Farmington will host a Veterans Day breakfast and program at 9:30 a.m.

To wrap up the week, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5896 and its auxiliary will distribute Buddy Poppies Thursday, Friday and Saturday in front of Farmington Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Country Mart, Family Center, and Save-A-Lot stores. Poppies will be available from 7 a. m. to 6 p.m.