Bloomfield, Missouri - The annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Monday, May 29, 2017.
The keynote speaker will be Ken Swearengin.
The American Legion Post #59 Honor Guard will present the POW/MIA Table Ceremony which honors soldiers that were prisoners of war or missing in action from each branch of the U.S. Military.
The Stoddard County Honor Guard will provide the firing of the volley for the Memorial Service.
Swearengin, SMSgt. USAF Ret., has been the director at the cemetery since it opened in 2003. He was honored by the Missouri Veterans Commission by receiving the Employee of the Month Award in 2013. He has also helped organize the cemetery's three annual events, including the Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Day Ceremony and Wreaths Across America.
Families and friends of those buried at the cemetery are invited to attend, as well as members of the general public. For more information, contact the cemetery office at (573) 568-3871.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Area Nutrition Center crowned their 2017 Valentine Queen this week. Several ladies were nominated and patrons voted by placing dollars and coins in their voting containers.
This is an annual fundraiser and more than $150 was raised for the Bloomfield Area Nutrition Center.
Mildred Palmer was announced the Queen. She raised more than $126 for this great cause. Her attendants are Rosemary Walker and Stella DeJournett.
Shown in the photo from left to right are Rosemary Walker, Mildred Palmer, and Stella DeJournett.
BANC is located at 609 Delaware St. in Bloomfield. For Meals on Wheels call (573) 895-2142.
"Organization was formed through the willing effort of several willing individuals in the Bloomfield area to meet a need for the areas Senior Citizens. The initial meetings took place during 2007. Town Hall meetings indicated interest and community surveys indicated need. A Board of Directors, a Not-for-profit status was approved by the State of Missouri, and 501(c)(3) status was received from the Federal Government. 0, 2010 was a pivital year for BANC when the organization began serving meals twice monthly in the basement of the Bloomfield City Hall. Support expanded, donations increased, and a building was donated and renovated by volunteers. In January 2010 the first meal was served at the new center on Delaware Street in Bloomfield, MO. BANC serves approximately 65 individuals every Wednesday. the average age is over 70 years."
BANC will host a fundraiser Breakfast on March 11th from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 10 and under. Carry-Outs will be available (573) 895-2142.
Bloomfield, Missouri - It was a gorgeous day at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. The sun was shining, the temperatures were warm and hundreds of volunteers of all ages converged to place beautiful Christmas Wreaths on veterans' graves. It looked to be a record breaking turn-out for the 8th annual Wreaths Across America.
A green wreath with a red ribbon laid across the tombstone of a veteran. It was a simple image, but a powerful message. A message of honor, remembrance and gratitude.
In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country's Veterans. With the help of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery, a section which had been receiving fewer visitor with each passing year.
In 2007, the Worcester family, along with veterans, and other groups and individuals who had helped with their annual Christmas wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit 501-c3 organization, to continue and expand this effort and support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same. The mission is simple: REMEMBER, HONOR, TEACH.
On December 13, 2008, the U.S. Congress unanimously voted to establish Wreaths Across America Day on the second or third Saturday of December.
Along with scores of other communities around the country, including Arlington National Cemetery, our community came out strong and gathered at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Stoddard County on Saturday, December 17, 2016.
Mr. Randy Dunn served as Master of Ceremony. A Moment of Silence for those fallen, prisoners of war, missing in action, and to honor those who have served this great nation. Jack Gillies conducted the Pledge of Allegiance and Kara King sang a most beautiful National Anthem. Pastor Ronnie Stevens of the First General Baptist Church said the Invocation.
Wreaths of Service were placed by those representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and POW/MIA.
Benediction was performed by Pastor Stevens and the firing volley was performed by the Stoddard County Veterans Honor Guard followed by Taps.
Bloomfield, Missouri - Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield invites the public to Participate in Wreaths Across America Program on Saturday, December 17, 2016.
The program will begin at 11:00 AM in the cemetery at the Committal Shelter Pavilion.
Master of Ceremony for the program will be Mr. Randy Dunn.
The cemetery has participated in the program for the last ten years by placing a ceremonial wreath on the grave of a member from each branch of service and a former POW. Due to the fund raising efforts the cemetery will be able to fully participate in the program again this year and will place a wreath on every grave within the cemetery for the ninth year in a row.
Families and friends of those interred, as well as the general public are invited to attend to help us remember the fallen; honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom.
Information about the Wreaths Across America Program can be found at: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
For further information you may contact the cemetery at (573) 568-3871
Bloomfield, Missouri - Two long-time custodians were honored with Hometown Hero Awards at Bloomfield Public Schools on Tuesday, October 25th.
Darrell Sindle and Bruce Blocker tricked into coming to the high school gymnasium to an enthusiastic crowd of students from kindergarten - 12th grade. Members of the band and flag corps were on hand to welcome them at the entrance.
They received the awards from Modern Woodmen.
Bruce Blocker graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1980. He was hired as a custodian for the district and began work on August 1, 1990. This is his 28th year working for the district. Both of his parents, flora and Eugene Blocker also worked as custodians at the school.
Darrell Sindle graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1986. He began working as a custodian for the district on September 24, 1997. This is his 20th year working for the district. Both of his parents, Nadene and Charles Sindle worked for Bloomfield Schools.
"Both of these gentlemen have spent almost their entire lives in the halls of Bloomfield schools," said Lara Thorn, a Modern Woodman representative. "Their dedication to our school and students is a testament to the type of men they are - the type of people we want around our students as examples. I can't say enough good things about Bruce and Darrell and can't express how much these two deserve the title of 'Hometown Hero.'"
Each Hero will receive a check to be donated to a charity of their choosing.
Shown in the photo are from left to right: Front row - Isaac Hendley, Ryker Chasteen, and Avery White. 2nd row - Katie Hendley, Cheyenne Brown, Wyatt Hendley , Bruce Blocker, Ashton White, Darrell Sindle, and Lara Thorn. Back row - Will Thorn , Gavin Chasteen , Kurtis O'Neal , Matt Gibbs , Skye Brown , Sam Gibbs and Alex Gibbs.
