South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Memorial Day services set Monday at national cemetery, Memorial Park

Memorial Day observances honoring U.S. veterans who sacrificed so much to allow Americans to enjoy the freedoms they have today are planned Monday, May 31, at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, and Memorial Park, Gravois and Sappington roads.

The annual Memorial Day service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery will begin at 10 a.m. with a procession to the Old Flag Circle where ceremonies will be conducted.

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Ronald L. Hindman, who serves as director of the National Personnel Record Center of St. Louis, will be the guest speaker.

The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., will perform the national anthem and the St. Louis Gateway Singers will provide musical selections. This year’s service also will include an 1860-era horse drawn hearse.

On Sunday, May 30, the Boy Scouts of the Gravois Trail District of the St. Louis Area Council will conduct their 54th annual Memorial Day Good Turn Ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Old Flag Circle.

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Thompson will be the guest speaker for this tradition that dates back to 1950. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, unit leaders and their families will ensure that every grave will have an American flag standing on it.

General parking for Memorial Day cemetery visitors will be at the Sylvan Springs Park in the lot directly in front of the main entrance to the cemetery and on cemetery property by the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Buses will be used to transport people to and from the cemetery site.

For more information, call Ralph E. Church, cemetery director, at 260-8720.

The Sappington-Concord Historical Society will sponsor its annual Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park.

The ceremony will take place in the shadow of the granite stone monument that lists the names of 171 men and women of the community who served their country in World War II. The monument was dedicated on Memorial Day 1995 and Memorial Day services have been conducted at the site since that time.

The Joint Color Guard from Scott Air Force Base will present the colors. This group represents all branches of the armed forces, the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Color Guard members will wear the dress uniform of the unit they represent and carry their unit flags.

Select members of the Lindbergh High School Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band will perform at the celebration. One of their selections will be “A Salute to the Armed Forces,” a medley of tunes representing each branch of the military.

Edgar Griesbaum, a featured author in “Hometown Heroes: War Memories Through Their Eyes,” will give the keynote address.

After the service, a reception will take place in the auditorium of the St. Lucas United Church of Christ, 11753 Denny Road. “Hometown Heroes,” which features the stories of more than 140 local veterans, will be available to purchase for $25 at the ceremony and the reception.

Johnny’s Market will allow parking on the rear of its lot. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.