18th Annual St. Louis Veterans' Day Observance

18th Annual Saint Louis Metropolitan
Veterans' Day Observance

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Vietnam Veterans Michael Young, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1973-77 and Richard Luvy, who served with the U.S. Army First Calvary Division, 1967-69, stand before the miltary static display featuring an Appache helicopter at 13th & Chestnut near the Soldiers' Memorial.

"We are in a fight for survival," Congressman Richard Gephardt told the audience at the Veterans' Day Observance ceremony.

"Proud to Be an American"
by Betty Magrath
Photos by Bob Moore
© 2001, St. Louis Front Page

ST. LOUIS, MO (SLFP.com) Nov 10, 2001 - Hundreds of war veterans and family members gathered Saturday morning, Nov 10, in front of the Soldiers' Memorial, at 1315 Chestnut in downtown St. Louis, for the beginning of the 18th Annual Veterans' Day Parade and Observance. With flags waving in a warm gentle breeze, the U.S. Army Color Guard led the ceremony with the Advance of The Colors, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Master of ceremonies and parade's narator was Ron Elz (Johnny Rabbit).

Keynote speaker Lt. General Ronald Marcotte, Scott Air Force Base, told the audience that the current group of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marine, coastguard and the civilians that are part of that same team are well prepared to carry on the legacy of their forefathers. "They are eager to serve. The resolve of the military has never been stronger. We will win the war and there will be costs," emphasized Marcotte.

A round of applause came when he commented that it was not just the military who was ready. "The American people are also ready to meet this challenge," said Marcotte.

Special medals of recognition were presented to three Missouri WWII Veterans. "We have with us today some of what we are now calling America's greatest generation who helped win over in that great struggle for survival," stated Marcotte.

In a poignant account of the recent terrorist events, guest speaker Congressman Richard Gephardt noted that "We have all been forever changed by what happened on September 11. We will all remember where we were on that morning." Upon learning that there had been an attack on New York, he adjourned his meeting and went to watch television. "I learned that the Pentagon had also been hit, stated Gephardt. "I called the Speaker of the House and said 'we have to get people out of the building.' Then we heard from the Capitol police that one of the planes was on its way possibly to the Capitol."

(L. to R.) Partaking in the unveiling of the "United We Stand" postage stamp: Emergency Medical Technical Specialist Gary Christman, from 'Ground Zero', Congressman Richard Gephardt, Acting St. Louis Postmaster Mark Anderson, Gateway District Manager Roger Nienaber, Lt. General Ronald Marcotte, Brigadier General George Schull and St. Louis Police Chief Joseph Mokwa.

The building was quickly evacuated, related Gephardt. He vividly described the scene before him with the Blackhawk helicopters surrounded by swat teams dressed in black with submachine guns. "I looked up on the roof of the Capitol and all around the Capitol were swat teams with submachine guns trying to protect the Capitol against an airplane attack." The Congressman commented that it was like a nightmare, like a bad movie.

Gephardt emphasized that the war against terrorism was going to be a tough fight. "It won't be won in a day, or six days or a month. It's going to take a long time. We are in a fight for survival."

Following the retiring of The Colors, the St. Louis Veteran's Day Observance Committee presented David Strauss with the "2001 Bob Hardy" media award. In addition to being a highly respected history teacher at Cleveland Junior Naval Academy, Strauss hosts a weekly program on radio station KTRS, where he is affectionately known to listeners as "Mr. Trivia."

The U.S. Postal Service also publicly unveiled the new "United We Stand" stamp. "Today, more than ever, the people of America are united in their purpose, their pride, and their determination," said Gateway District Manager Roger Nienaber. "It is a reminder to the world that liberty and justice are more than words - they are the essence of who we are," said Nienaber.

The spirit of patriotism was very evident on the faces of thousands of families, friends and veterans who lined the streets along the parade route. Police Chief Joseph Mokwa and Fire Chief Sherman George served as honorary Marshals. Children waved small flags and loud cheers greeted over 100 marching bands, military units and war veterans, including survivors from Pearl Harbor.

Loud cheers greeted the Scott Air Force unit carrying a large American flag past the reviewing stand in front of the Soldiers' Memorial at 14th and Chestnut Streets.

(Above) Seven-year-old Emma Burton, from Hazelwood, MO, gladly displays her 'Proud to be an American' pennant and T-shirt. (Right) Military units passed beneath a giant "Old Glory" hanging from two firetruck ladders at the corner of Tucker and Market.

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