Kids sing as Saline Countians gather in Marshall to honor veterans

Saline County's celebration of Veterans Day Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the courthouse lawn saw a number of veterans and area officials speak to honor veterans with support from quite a few schoolchildren.

Marshall Mayor Connie Latimer; Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner; Congressman Ike Skelton, D-Mo.; state Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton; and state Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall, welcomed veterans and nonveterans alike to the event that drew at least 200 people.

The Marshall High School band played "The Star-Spangled Banner," Marshall fourth-graders, directed by Mary Marshall, sang the official songs of military branches, Bueker Middle School and Malta Bend School students read poems and statements about freedom and the service of veterans and a number of local students released red, white and blue balloons into the clear sky above at the ceremony's conclusion.

"I am forever in debt and thankful to you," said Kelsey Forqueran in a statement directed toward those who have served and who currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. "Let us not remember these men and women on Veterans Day, but every day."

Lt. Col. Ret. Jack Harvey served as guest speaker for the event, saying, "Each soldier serves to defend the core values of our home, our community and our nation. The observance of this day was borne of compassion and empathy, pride and gratitude. ... Understand that on Veterans Day, we honor the ideal and values that soldiers stand for and many died for. Sadly, many Americans have lost this connection with their heritage."

Before the ceremony, a new flagpole on the opposite side of the courthouse lawn was dedicated.

Donations from Knights of Columbus fourth degree, Knights of Columbus third degree, Sue Schwartz, Westport Construction Company, Thompson Construction Company, Mike and Steven Mills of Marshall Electrical Contracting, Scott and Stephanie Fuemmeler of Audsley Monument Company, Marshall Municipal Utilities, George Hamilton and the family of Jack Russell made the purchase of the new pole possible, which replaced a 68-year-old flagpole.

Fr. Kevin Gormley of St. Peter Catholic Church gave a prayer blessing the flagpole before Skelton presented a flag that had previously flown over the U.S. Capitol and Bill Sleeper, Saline County building and grounds supervisor, raised the flag to the top of the pole before lowering it to half-mast.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net