Dav members remember 9/11 with Leadington  vfw

The Briley Brothers

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Remembering The Tragedy Of 9-11

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or  pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com

Sep 11, 2007 - 11:24:06 CDT

West County Elementary children and staff remembered the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, this morning during a ceremony held at the school by the Mineral Area Memorial VFW Post 5741 and its  Auxiliary.

At the beginning of school, children wearing red, white and blue filed outside and stood on a hillside, where they recited the Pledge of Allegiance after veterans Kenneth Hedrick and Clyde Briley raised then lowered the flag to half-mast.

Auxiliary member Barb Briley presented Principal Todd Watson with an American flag with a yellow bow on it, a POW/MIA flag and a plaque from the VFW. Watson then presented the veterans and auxiliary members with a small statue in thanks for their help.

Briley also presented music teacher Glenda Dillon with a flag in thanks for her work and for helping the children learn patriotic songs for the annual ceremony.

Commander Joe Briley said the VFW holds the ceremony each year to make sure the children do not forget the tragedy or the importance of standing as a unified nation.

Veterans Jerry Ratliff, Leamon Asher Sr. and Donald Nelson and Auxiliary members Janice Ratliff, Doris Bradley, Billy Horton, Sue Gottman and Maxine French also participated in the ceremony.

POW/MIA memorial day service Saturday

Ceremony will feature Missing Man Table of Honor

By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Sep 11, 2007 - 11:24:06 CDT

Prisoners of war (POW) and soldiers still missing in action (MIA) will be honored and remembered Saturday during the annual POW/MIA Recognition Day memorial services at Norman L. Rigdon VFW Post 5896.

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. at the Post, 814 E. Karsch Blvd. in Farmington, and will feature the traditional Missing Man Table of Honor. Former POWs Edward Bradley, U.S. Army/WWII; Roy Clark Sr., U.S. Army/WWII; Duck Farmer, U.S. Army/Korea; D.J. Hughes, U.S. Army/WWII; Charles King, U.S. Army/WWII and Jack Stegall, U.S. Army/Korea will attend.

Guest speakers will include State Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington; State Rep. Brad Robinson, D-Bonne Terre; and County Assessor Dan Ward.

The Farmington High School Air Force JROTC will post the colors and place the military hats on the Missing Man Table of Honor. Black Knight TV plans to film the ceremony

“We will have real bagpipes playing ‘Amazing Grace,’ a balloon release and a rifle team salute to veterans with taps,” VFW spokesman Tony Carroll said. “This will be a moving ceremony to witness.”

The Missing Man Table of Honor typically is set for six. The places, left empty, represent missing Americans from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as one for civilians. The ceremony symbolizes that they are still here in spirit.

The theme of this year’s event is “Their Sacrifices, Our Freedom,” Carroll added.

Similar ceremonies will be held this month across the country and at sea. The Pentagon will hold its National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony Friday. That ceremony will be attended by troops from each branch of the military. Also, the president will issue a proclamation commemorating the observances and reminding the nation of Americans who have sacrificed much for their country.

Congress included National POW/MIA Recognition Day as one of six days when the National League of Families' POW/MIA flag is to be flown. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or  pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com