Veterans Day ceremony brings message to young people

SIKESTON - For 20 years now, Sikeston-area veterans have gathered with students at Sikeston High School to observe Veterans Day.

While the day may have its origins reaching back to World War I, Monday's ceremony sought to bring the meaning of service and sacrifice into context for the young people from their involvement of greeting guests at the door with small American and POW flags to the performance by students of the patriotic music and holding the service flags as the anthems were played for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard as the members stood for recognition.

Guest speaker Jack Jackson, a retired colonel with the United States Marine Corps, wanted the students at Sikeston High School to understand why they were honoring the local veterans of the United States military.

Jackson told the young people that the fact they could go to school, say a prayer, cast a vote or even shop at a mall was due to the men and women who served their country. 
"That is the freedom veterans gave to you," he told them.

For more of the story see Tuesday's Standard Democrat.