Bloomfield, Missouri - The Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post #59, their Auxiliary and the Missouri Department of Conservation held their semi-annual Veterans Fishing Day on Friday, May 31, 2019 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

More than 50 veterans enjoyed a beautiful morning fishing with more than 100 people attending the fish fry at noon.

The Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post #59 hosts two Veteran Fishing Days.  One in the spring and one in the fall in October. 

Other volunteers who make this event possible are the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Missouri State Veterans Home, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.  Without the tremendous help from these volunteers, this event would not be successful.

If you would like more information about the bi-annual fishing day or if you are interested in joining the American Legion please join them for their monthly meetings beginning at 6:00 p.m. each first Thursday of the month.  They also host a DANCE on Monday evenings!!!

Bloomfield, Missouri - The city of Bloomfield was recently named a Purple Heart City after months of efforts by Bloomfield City Clerk Kari Standley.

"She was instrumental in this endeavor to make Bloomfield a Purple Heart City," commented Bloomfield Mayor Bill Aslin. "I commend her for her actions and I am grateful she took this upon herself to do for our community."

Aslin signed the Proclamation on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the monthly city council meeting.  On hand were Purple Heart recipients and members of the community to honor them. As well as other local veterans including the Stoddard County Honor Guard and representatives of the Region 2 Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States.  In 1782, George Washington needed a way to quell the talk of a rebellion at the end of the Revolutionary War.  Moral was low and they were starving.  He was afraid of a mutiny so he created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize heroic acts by his troops. No one knows home many received this award and it later lapsed after the war for many years.  It was in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday, the modern medal featuring a profile image of Washington was created for soldiers.  

The award was made retroactive - WWI soldiers who had earned certain awards could apply for the Purple Heart.  Today many have earned the medal and we thank them for their service and sacrifice.

"I really wanted to do this for our community," stated Kari Standley.  "We have a lot of military history here and I wanted them to know that we appreciate their sacrifices.  We will eventually get a few signs as you enter Bloomfield to visually thank those who were battle wounded and stand as a thank you for their service.  It's definitely a sign of respect and gratitude!"

One of Standley's goals is to get everyone on board in Stoddard County and all the towns to become Purple Heart cities.

Bryce Lockwood, Chaplain of Chapter 621 Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart from Springfield, Missouri, explained that the medal is given to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action during wartime.

Also in attendance was John D. Dismer, Region 2 Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "I am proud that Bloomfield has become a Purple Heart city.  The sign will acknowledge that the city supports and honors all veterans."

Dismer explained that Bloomfield will have the opportunity to purchase road signs identifying the town as a Purple Heart City and they will be placed at near the city limits on the north and south in the beginning.  They may try to purchase a couple more for other county roads leading into the city.

"I am truly honored to read and sign this proclamation tonight," continued Aslin.  "My dad was in the Navy and my Uncle was in the Air Force.  It's a privilege and honor for the city of Bloomfield to be designated a Purple Heart City."

Purple Heart City of Bloomfield Proclamation signed May 20, 2019

"Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri and our Community have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces; and

Whereas veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good fall; and

Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens' and

Whereas citizens of our country have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential served; and

Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri seeks to remember and recognize those who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.

Now, therefore, I Bill Aslin, Mayor of the city of Bloomfield, Missouri, do hereby declare the city of Bloomfield to be a Purple Heart City honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform, wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect our freedoms.

Pictured: Purple Heart recipients present for the proclamation of Bloomfield as a Purple Heart City include, from left: Terry Hood, U.S. Army, Charles Hedspeth, U.S. Army, Bryce Lockwood, U.S. Marines, John Dismer, U.S. Army; Dallas Buchanan, U.S. Army, David Wilson, U.S. Army, and David McClellan, U.S. Army.

Dexter, Missouri - The 2019 18 FORE Life Banquet and Golf Tournament is fast approaching and once again this year's guest speaker is none other than legendary Joe Theismann. 

The featured speaker is a retired NFL quarterback who played for the Washington Redskins from 1974 - 1985 winning Super Bowl XVII.

The banquet is set for Friday, May 31st and the annual golf tournament will be held Saturday, June 1st at Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter.

This year's banquet and golf tournament will each feature a silent auction. Mini games will take place on the golf course as well. A limited edition Club Car Golf Cart will be raffled. This is an anniversary edition golf cart and a limited number were produced. Tickets can be purchased at Allen Christian for $20 each.

Since 2000, 18 FORE Life has raised money in our community for cancer patients.  Their motto is Celebrate, Give, Remember!  If you are not aware of this amazing organization get involved and do it now.  This charity has already raised and given away over $2 million dollars in love offerings to those battling cancer.  You will find this reporters name near the beginning of a very long list of grateful and appreciative people who have fought cancer.

"We are nearing our next goal of $3 million dollars in love offerings," commented Scott Kruse, co-founder of 18FORE Life. "We hope to reach our goal by 2020"

"There are still some tickets left for the banquet and we need a few more golf teams as well," commented Scott Kruse.  "The cost is only $30 each."  You can contact Mr. Kruse at (573) 614-0503.

The 18 FORE Life Charity has raised over $2.4 million dollars since its inception in 2000.  The charity, through a number of annual events and primarily through donations and the golf tournament are able to provide love offerings to area families in the amount of $1,000 each.

The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. on May 31 at the Dexter Elks Lodge and the banquet will start at 6. The golf tournament will start at 7 a.m. the next day at Hidden Trails Country Club.

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 27, 2019.

The keynote speaker will be Lieutenant Colonel Bob Thrower, U.S. Army Ret.   He is a Dexter Native who was commissioned into the US Army in 1987.  he spent 20 years on active duty, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2008.  He also spent two years Missouri Army National Guard from 1984-1986.  he has spent the majority of his career as a signal officer, assignments included 1st Infantry Division,  Fort Riley Kansas; 22d Signal Brigade, Germany; Defense Special Weapons Agency, Alexandria, VA; 440th Signal Battalion, Germany; Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS.  Deployments included Desert storm; Task Force Eagle, Implementation Force, Bosnia and Herzegovina; OIF-

Bob has a Bachelors Degree from Southeast Missouri State University, a Masters from Central Michigan University and is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College.

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 will also be presented.  Gary Kitchen will narrate. Representing the five armed forces are James Adams SFC USA RET US ARMY, Tom Love CAPT USMC US MARINE CORPS, Carl Bess P01USN RET US NAVY, John P. Myers MAJOR USAF US AIR FORCE,  AND Justin W. Baker CW04 USCG RET US COAST GUARD.

The Stoddard County Honor Guard will provide the firing of the volley for the Memorial Service.

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.

Special thanks to the following:

STODDARD COUNTY VETERANS HONOR GUARD

AMERICAN LEGION POST 59 HONOR GUARD

BOY SCOUT TROOP 4060; POPLAR BLUFF

HOPE CENTER

4H CLUB

BLOOMFIELD ASSISTANCE LEAGUE  OF THE MISSOURI VETERANS CEMETERY