Dexter, Missouri - The Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post #59 Honor Guard was created in 2007. Since that time they have attended more than 800 funerals to honor veterans one last time.
“Our first military funeral was in Brosley, Missouri in October of 2007,” commented Tom Love. He is a dedicated member of the American Legion and an Honor Guard member as well.
Robert Crow, Jerry Seabaugh, and Bill Alexander were among the first Honor Guard members and they have since passed away. Bill Pippins, Sr., Roger Hubbard, Jim Russell, Jim Adams, Gary Kitchen, Charles Smith, and Bill Miranda were also founding members of the Honor Guard.
Since that time many have served including Tom Love they are Eric Smith, Daryl LaPierre, Les Barker, Chuck Smith, David Vaughn, Randy Cannel, Bruce McClintock, Jeff Masterson, and Junior Cagle.
“Most funerals that have been performed are out at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield,” continued Love. “As time permits we will do military honors outside of Stoddard County. We have traveled to Kennett, East Prairie, Poplar Bluff, and Cape Girardeau.”
The State of Missouri gives the Honor Guard unit $100 for their time at a funeral and all monies have been donated to the American Legion Post #59 in Dexter. Those monies over the years have helped sponsor Boys State, Girls State, Missouri Highway Patrol Summer Camp for youth, local Boy Scout Troops, recognition of Outstanding Students, aid to local veterans, and Christmas gifts to veterans in nursing homes in the area.
Twice each year they host a Fishing Day and Fish Fry at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Along with funerals and other events, the Honor Guard participates in the Missing in Action service held each year at the cemetery. In addition to the Rifle Salute, the Honor Guard assists with the Flag Folding and presentation of the flag to the next of kin. They serve in parades, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, POW Ceremonies and Laying of the Wreaths at Christmas. They are very busy throughout the year and extremely active in our community.
“The Honor Guard receives no other outside assistance,” continued Love. “Members pay for all transportation, meals, uniforms, cleaning of uniforms, and any other expenses pertaining to the ceremony.”
This Honor Guard unit has never missed a single ceremony due to weather. They have performed in rain, freezing cold, sleet and snow and the stifling heat of summer to make sure a military service is performed for our heroes.
On this Veterans Day please remember those who still serve our country even into retirement. The Honor Guard never misses the call to duty when a soldier whether currently serving or served has passed on. He or she deserves a military service. They deserve our attention and most of all our prayers to their family.
The oldest member of the current Honor Guard is Jim Russell. He is 82 years old and still to this day serves and does what he can to honor the memory of a soldier to be buried. Many of the unit members are aging. Younger people are not stepping up to help as most funerals are during the day when they are working; therefore relying on the retired has become normal for the Honor Guard.
Anyone wishing to help either financial with a donation or by volunteering are asked to contact Eric Smith, Commander of the American Legion (573) 718-2021 or Gary Kitchen OIC of the Honor Guard at (573) 614-1370. Any branch of the military service man or woman may participate.
“Families appreciate the Honor Guard and are overwhelmed by their act of kindness,” Love said.
Indianapolis, Indiana - Emily Johns, a member of the Dexter FFA chapter in Dexter, MO, will be on stage and in the spotlight Oct. 28-31 during the 2015 National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, KY. This is her second year in the prestigious band.
Johns, a junior and the daughter of Kevin and Janet Johns of Dudley, has been selected to play French horn in the National FFA Band.
Johns submitted an audition tape and was selected to help bring full instrumental balance to the band from a pool of applicants from across the country.
The National FFA Band will perform several times during the national convention and expo. The sessions, along with Friday’s band and chorus concert, will be aired on RFD-TV.
Johns will join fellow band members in Louisville three days before the event for rehearsals.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.
This year's hunt is at Gobbler Ridge on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 according to Stoddard County Conservation Agent Mark Reed.
If you are a disabled veteran and are interested in participating, please contact the American Legion in Dexter, Missouri.
Gobbler Ridge Farms was converted from a family recreational area into a place where veterans with combat-related injuries could go, relax, enjoy the outdoors, and hunt and enjoy nature. The project has been spearheaded by Tom Love and Gobbler Ridge Farms and sponsored by the Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post 59 in Dexter.
“It is a place where disabled veterans can hunt, view wildlife, take nature photographs, and relax,” Love said recently.
Priority will be given to Stoddard County veterans and veterans with combat-related disabilities
The site has handicapped accessible blinds elevated for hunting and viewing. Blinds are wheelchair accessible. Ground blinds are also wheelchair accessible and portable to provide mobility and maximize use through the seasons and movement of wildlife.
The Center is located at 812 North West Oak Street in Dexter. For more information about their services contact Bertha Sherritze at (314) 210-7393.
Shown in the photo from left to right are: Debbie Stidham, Jerry Corder, Lucinda Gyurci, Jeri Pierce, Bertha Sherritze, Mark Stidham, Joe Weber, Bill Hampton, Kevin Bishop, and Dennis Boggess.
In addition to a recent donation to the Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Mother-to-Mother program, the “Being Faurecia” team presented a check on Tuesday to Dexter Police Department’s Officer Lori O’Dell, who is the coordinator and director of the local D.A.R.E. Program at the fifth grade level.
Emphasizing that “Children are Our Future,” Being Faurecia Champion Angela Roberts, (at left holding the D.A.R.E. mascot) along with Team Member, Kim Pierce, with Human Resources at the local plant, are shown presenting the $500 contribution to O’Dell to be utilized as she instructs her D.A.R.E. students.
