The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month is the day President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a holiday in 1919 called Armistice Day, known today as Veterans Day.
Wednesday, soldiers worldwide were honored in their hometowns at schools, nursing homes, senior centers, VFW halls, American Legion halls, and veterans' homes for the sacrifices they made – and those in Mexico were no exception.
The Mexico Senior Center hosted an Honor Flight program, inviting a representative from the Central Missouri campaign to talk with local veterans about taking the all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorial built in their honor, for their sacrifices. Several veterans attended. The Central Missouri campaign, that to date, has fulfilled the dreams of some 350 Missouri veterans – a dozen or so of whom were from the Mexico area.
The last Central Missouri flight, taken Nov. 10, cleared the rolls of those signed up already for this year. Flights will resume again in spring 2010, provided funds are in place.
Veterans Ralph Orcutt and Maury Whitacre, both of Mexico, are interested in a 2010 flight.
"We came today to find out more information about the program, and see if he can take the flight, despite his health issues," Orcutt's friend, Joan Chupp of Boonville, told The Ledger. And, the answer is yes.
"We had 40 wheelchair veterans on the Nov. 10 flight, six patients from the VA Hospital in Columbia, and several using oxygen tanks," Honor Flight volunteer Tommy Highbarger told the crowd. "If they want to go, we will make the necessary provisions for them to go.
"We have at least 10 nurses on each flight, and other accommodations, to make their flights possible."
WWII vets Lester Blackshaw and James Young – who were drafted in 1946, and served together in Japan – along with Joe Dodge, who served in Paris, and Val Eikel, who served in the South Pacific, were on hand to share their Honor Flight experiences. All agreed, "the project is great," and each recommended it to all WWII veterans capable of taking the trip. Leo Freeman was also among those from the area who took the flight.
For more information about the 2010 trips, veterans may call Highbarger at (573) 443-1016.
Among the red, white and blue decorations, Missouri Veterans’ Home residents, family, friends and area veterans joined together Wednesday in celebration of Veterans Day.
Among the room-filled dining area, featured speaker Bud Myers, Lt. Commander U.S. Navy Retired, described the day as a time of reflection on the people who have sacrificed so much to ensure the safety of this nation.
He also told the residents they reside in a top-notch facility. “You are residents of the finest veterans’ home in the nation,” Myers stated. He told a little of the history of the home and how it became a reality through the hard work and generosity of the people who believed in the concept. “The quest started in 1978 when hundreds of people were concerned that veterans throughout the state deserved recognition and help – in this home – as well as others in Missouri.”
Myers who is very involved in the veterans’ home proudly told those attending about the groundwork to make the facility more than a dream. “We needed $75,000 to get started,” he stated. Through a fundraising campaign $109,000 was raised in 33 days. Today 87 World War II veterans, 33 Korean veterans, and 22 Vietnam veterans call the Missouri Veterans’ Home their home.
Myers closed his speech with the following: “I ask that each of you (veterans) keep your head high, your back straight and be proud – you are the Statue of Liberty, The Gateway Arch and the Golden Gate Bridge – you are America.”
Also taking part in Wednesday’s celebration was American Legion No. 552 who posted and retrieved the colors; Cheryl Tolbert, MVH administrator, who welcomed those attending; Gary Westerman, MVH purchasing department who led in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance; Shelby Hobbs, who sang the National Anthem; and Jean Lee Lamb, representing the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mexico, Mo. —
