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Missouri Veterans Cemetery receives $50,000 donation
BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield received a donation of $51,320 from the Sikeston American Legion.
The funds were raised at the Legion’s annual cook off and poker run fundraiser event. The event also featured a corn hole tournament, barbeque dinner and more. The event has raised more than $220,000 in the 10 years it has been held. The event raised $9,967 the first year and has increased each year up to the more than $51,000 this year. A presentation ceremony was held at the cemetery.
Members of the Sikeston American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and Missouri Veterans Cemetery gather for a photo in the committal facility at the cemetery. Photo courtesy of Tammy Smith
“It’s a team effort, it’s the Legion, the auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion and the riders,” said Blair Moran, president of the Bloomfield Assistance League. “It’s a labor of love for all of them, each and every year. This is the tenth year and this being the tenth year this was our best year. We have doubled what they have done in the past and we truly appreciate it.”
Money raised from the Poker Run and Cook off have done such things as enclose the Committal Shelter and installed heat and air for the comfort of the families during a service. The bell in the bell tower has been replaced, a new sound system was installed and more.
“I just want to thank the American Legion Family for a wonderful tenth year,” said auxiliary member Vickie Wilson. “I knew that the sponsors were up this year, but I was in awe when the final totals came in, I was just busting at the seams.”
“Thanks to the American Legion Auxiliary, the Legion, the S.A.L. (Sons of the American Legion), the riders,” Wilson continued. “And you poor riders, one of these days we are going to have this poker ru and it is not going to rain. We have had it in April, we have had it in May, we have had it in September we have had it in October and it has rained every single time. So I think you guys are just going to have to deal with it and you do a good job. Thank you guys for going through the weather to make that happen.”
Despite the rain 25 vehicle were in the poker run, 23 of them motorcycles. The cook off featured 15 teams representing Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. Royal Oak Charcoal provided all the charcoal for the event and the Legion provided the meat.
Additionally Wilson said the event had double the sponsors from last year. The Legion also raised $11,000 with the auction that was held as part of the event.
“It takes so many hours, so many people to get this done,” said Wilson. “I can’t thank everybody individually because I am afraid I will leave somebody out. So from the bottom of my heart, this tenth year and from this year forward I hope we continue to grow and grow and grow, for the benefit of this cemetery, for all the veterans that fought for us so we can do what we do today.”
Legion member Jimmy “Shaggy” Cantrell then stepped to the mic.
“Everyone did an exceptional job,” said Cantrell. “We did a lot, it took teamwork. And being a team, we can only build on this.”
“As Vickie stated we did really well with our sponsors this year,” Cantrell continued. “We are going to continue to work with our sponsors and bring more sponsors to the table and grow and thrive and do what we can do for this cemetery.”
Cantrell said he deep emotions about the cemetery and it was hard for him to talk about.
“All of us can create and do more and bring more to the table,” said Cantrell. “If we do that we have already succeeded 100 percent successful what we did this year. It can’t get better, yes it can, We just go a little harder and we push a little more.”
Veterans Cemetery Director Tammy Smith then spoke briefly about the donation and her gratitude.
“I always get emotional every year when we attend the cook off competition and the fundraiser,” said Smith. “When I got the phone call for the amount that was raised, I literally started bawling. It is just phenomenal what you guys have done, what you have put together and you continue to do. The cemetery, the people that work here, the families, they appreciate every thing that you do. We tell them about it, we make sure that they know that you guys are out there helping them and helping us. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”