Sanford is named marshal of Saturday's parade

SIKESTON -- A national officer for the nation's largest veterans organization will participate in the 70th Annual American Legion Cotton Carnival Parade.

Joining members of the Henry Meldrum Post 114 of Sikeston, which sponsors the Cotton Carnival, is Paul O. Sanford, the national vice commander of the 2.4-million member American Legion. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.

A retired social worker and U.S. Army Vietnam-era veteran from Newton, Kan., Sanford is a member of American Legion Post 369 in Copeland, Kan. He served as state commander from 2011 to 2012, having been the Kansas vice commander the previous year. Other leadership positions included Post 369 commander, District 8 vice commander, District 8 commander as well as Sons of the American Legion vice commander for the district, 2008 to 2009.

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