Veterans Day on Veterans Way honors members of armed services with community barbecue, recognition

Area residents gather to show respect, appreciation at Missouri Veterans Home/Mt. Vernon
Veterans Day on Veterans Way paid tribute to area veterans on Saturday, Nov. 9, with a barbecue held at the Missouri Veteran’s Home, followed by a short concert performed by Charles Graham. An estimated 200 people attended the annual event.
In recent years, the gathering was held on the city square in front of the Veterans Mural, but Darrel Campbell, one of the organizers, said the event was held at the Veterans Home so the veterans living there could participate, and members of the community would have the opportunity to meet them.
“We wanted to get our community even deeper plugged into our United States military veterans and active military,” he said. “We wanted to put them together, so (the community) gets to see who served, (and) we get to honor these guys.”
Campbell added that community members might want to consider taking time to visit the Veterans Home and spend some time with the residents there.
“This is a special place that we have in ur town, and if anybody’s interested in history or the military, these gentlemen who served out here are just the best,” he said. “They are such great people.”
About 75 volunteers helped out at the celebration. They set up the tent and the chairs and tables, prepared and served food, helped veterans who needed assistance, and cleaned up afterwards.
Keri Creasey, activities director at the veterans home, said having Veterans Day on Veterans Way at the home allowed veterans who aren’t able to get out a chance to join in the celebration.
“I thought it was a great way to incorporate the community with our veteran’s home, specifically for the veterans who are unable to get out and get in a bus and go down to the square,” she said. “They were able to come out and eat; we have a couple of guys who have come out and eaten, and those who will be able to enjoy the music inside afterwards.”Creasey added that the veterans at the home were delighted to have Veterans Day on Veterans Way at their residence.
“They loved all the excitement of seeing the tents put up (and) seeing all the firetrucks and the police officers come in,” she said. “They loved all the excitement of something going on.”
Sherry Sharon, whose late husband, Loy Sharon, was a WWII veteran who served in Normandy and spent 196 days on the front lines during the war, said she felt the celebration was a fitting way to honor the veterans.
“I think it’s great to honor our veterans,” she said. “We have no idea what they’ve been through, and they deserve every bit of honor they can get, and I’m glad we’re taking time (to do so).”
Campbell also said it is important that the service of American veterans never be taken for granted.
“Many of the gentlemen and ladies you see here who have served, they are proud of their service,” he said. “They are happy that they got to serve. They don’t necessarily want to be paraded around; they’re very humble people. But, at the same time, we need to, as citizens, always be in an attitude of thankfulness, because they signed up. They didn’t have to do it. They put their lives on the line for you and me.”