Bloomfield, Missouri - Col. Stephen Elder, a Stoddard County native, will be the keynote speaker at the Veterans Day observance on Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield beginning at 1:00 p.m.
He joined the Missouri National Guard while in high school and graduated from Dexter in 1990. He is now a decorated Colonel in the United State Army. He enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology in 1995. Elder earned an MSA from Central Michigan University and will graduate in June 2017 with a National Security and Strategy Master's Degree.
Elder has served his country all over the world and in various capacities including Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of the 24th Ordnance Company at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, Commander of the 774th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company at Fort Riley, Kansas, and as Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Officer of the Third EOD Battalion in Ft. Lewis, Washington, Operations Chief of Technical Collection for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Charlottesville, Virginia, Battalion Commander at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and EOD Group Deputy Commander at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
He is currently at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and has a follow-on assignment to Fort Jackson, South Carolina where he will assume Garrison Command.
Elder has served the United States being deployed in Desert Fox, Desert Thunder in Kuwait, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan where he served three tours of duty, and most recently in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
Colonel Elder's decorations and awards include two Bronze Stars, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, three USA Commendation Medals, three USA Achievement Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Global War on Terrorism Defense Service Medals, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, two USA Service and Overseas Ribbons, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, a NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, and a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
Elder and his wife, the former Michelle Pixley of Dexter, have two sons, Aaron and Riley.
Please join him at 1:00 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield and honor our Veterans. members of the Stoddard County Veterans Honor Guard will assist with the ceremony along with the POW/MIA Table Ceremony and Firing of the Volley to conclude the event.
The public is encouraged to attend.
Bernie, Missouri - Veterans Day Breakfast will be held at the Bernie High School cafeteria on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Bernie Junior High and High School students thank each Veteran for their service and our freedom.
Following the breakfast an assembly will be held at 9:00 a.m. to honor our service members.
There will also be a voluntary tour of the Bernie school building after the assembly.
All veterans should feel free to come out and enjoy some good food and gratitude.
Dexter, Missouri - To honor all veterans, the Dexter Senior Center will serve a free lunch to veterans and their spouses on Monday, November 14th. The Center will be closed on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th.
A full menu of open faced roast beef and mashed potatoes on bread, roasted seasoned broccoli, creamed sweet corn, and butterscotch cream pie for dessert will be served.
The meal will begin at 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Rotary Club donated $1,000 to the Stoddard County Children's Home on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Bradley Jarrell is the President of the Dexter Rotary Club and the Vice President of the Children's Home.
Accepting the donation is Linda Sams, Executive Director of the Children's Home.
The Stoddard County Children's Home provides a safe haven for children displaced due to abuse and neglect. It opened its doors in 1980 and is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information on the home home or how you can donate click HERE.
Dexter, Missouri - Cold outside? Come in and get warm with a hot bowl of chili and a fresh cinnamon roll. The T.S. Hill Middle School Jr. Beta Club would like to invite YOU to their 4th Annual Old School Chili and Cinnamon Roll Supper!
The event will be held on Tuesday, November 22nd in the T.S. Hill Middle School cafeteria just before the 7th and 8th grade T.S. Hill Middle School Boys Basketball Teams take the court against the Jackson Indians.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are only $5.00 each, five and younger eat for FREE! Want it to go, just ask for carryout!
Your ticket will also include entry to the Boys Basketball Game at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be bought in advance.
All proceeds go to Dexter Jr. Beta Club. Thank you for your support.
