By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
The Bearcat Event Center in Dexter was filled with colors Friday morning – from the red in the wreath in front of the center’s stage, to the blue in the uniforms, to the white in the Navy and Marine Corps caps on stage. It was, indeed, a patriotic morning.
Several hundred area veterans and residents along with every student in the Dexter Public Schools filled the BEC as Dexter honored her sons and daughters who have served the nation in the armed forces.
Master of Ceremonies was Dexter Mayor Joe Weber, himself a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. The crowd was welcome to the BEC by Jenny Blattman, DHS Student Body President. The colors were presented with great precision by the Honor Guard from Boy Scout Troop 200; Lt. Col. Manlove called the veterans in attendance for the presentation of colors.
The DHS Band, under the direction of Scott Rybolt, played the National Anthem as those in attendance snapped to attention. Blattman returned to the podium to lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance – as elementary school students’ young voices said that familiar Pledge loud and strong. The Rev. Phil Warren offered the innovation.
The DHS Band performed and very moving arrangement of “America the Beautiful” and a medley of the songs of the branches of the military – Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. As each song was played, veterans stood for their service song.
This is the first year that the community’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony was held at the BEC. In years past the ceremony was held at the City Administration Building and a wreath was laid at the Sisler-Eskew-Parker Monument. This year, Delois Gales, representing the families of the three Dexter residents killed in the Vietnam War, presented the wreath that will be placed at the monument at the city building.
Speaker for the morning the MAJ. (Ret.) Roger Alsup – who is also known as Dr. Roger Alsup, assistant superintendent of Dexter schools. Alsup joined the Air Force after graduation from Dexter High School, and later joined the Missouri National Guard and served in Iraq and eventually retired with the rank of major.
A special part of the program was the announcement of the winner of the new Eighth Grade Essay Contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxilary. Mary Kate Miller was the winner, and she read her essay.
In addition the winners of the Fifth Grade Poster Contest were announced. Winners include Bradley Langston, Savas Jimenez, Candi Conner, Eric Hahn & Nate Gargas, Maycie Martin, Jerrica Porter, Rylee Allen and Maddie Jacques.
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