Veterans who made ultimate sacrifice remembered at Sikeston Memorial Day ceremony

Perry Harper sings the National Anthem during the Memorial Day ceremony held Monday, May 30, 2022, at Veterans Park in Sikeston. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON — Veterans who made the supreme sacrifice were honored during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday morning at Veterans Park in Sikeston.

Ret. U.S. Air Force Major General Cassie Strom, was the guest speaker. Strom, who was the Air National Guard assistant to the Judge Advocate General of the United States Air Force in the Pentagon, providing leadership, strategic planning and management of the entire Air National Guard Judge Advocate Program encompassing 440 judge advocates and paralegals at Air National Guard offices through-out the nation. She was the first female of the Air Force to attain the rank of Major General in the Judge Advocate Corps.

Strom, who said this Memorial Day was the first in 20 years the country was actually at peace time, spoke of 13 soldiers who lost their life in Afghanistan, describing each as they all had different backgrounds but shared the belief in sacrificing their lives for our country.

Ret. U.S. Air Force Major General Cassie Strom speaks during the Memorial Day ceremony held Monday, May 30, 2022, at Veterans Park in Sikeston. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

“More than one million veterans have made the supreme sacrifice,” Strom said. “They died so we could continue to cherish things that we love: God, country and family. Things that you see here today when I look out in the audience.”

Strom said the saddest part of honoring the fallen is they are often so young and their lives are just beginning to unfold.

“They’re frozen in time with all of the other youth that we’ve lost fighting for the values and beliefs our country stands for,” Strom said, adding that each community has its own stories of loss and sacrifice.

Those in attendance listen to "God Bless the USA," during the Memorial Day ceremony held Monday, May 30, 2022, at Veterans Park in Sikeston. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

She told the story of Mississippi County in the Civil War having one of the first battles in Missouri where over 200 men died. While the battle wasn’t a significant battle in the Civil War, it was the Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s first test as a battle-field commander.

“We must share the legacies and tell the stories of those who are no longer here,” Strom said. “Everyone has a story.”

Strom added that we also must take care of the loved ones and that can be done financially or by joining, participating in, volunteering or donating to organizations that are committed to caring for veterans in the area.

After she spoke, Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow read a proclamation and made a presentation to Strom, followed by Capt. Bettina Moxley to present the Wreath of the Fallen.

The Prayer of Remembrance was offered by Rev. Mathew Vroman, pastor of the First Baptist Church and veteran of the Air Force, while Perry Harper, minister of music for the First Baptist Church sang the National Anthem and “God Bless the USA.”

Steven Taylor gave an update on Veterans Park, which should have a new Memorial monument by Labor Day while the Sikeston Department of Public Safety performed the 21-gun salute followed by Ethan Bartlett playing taps.

After the ceremony, veterans and their families were invited to the American Legion Post 114 for lunch provided by the Legion Auxiliary.