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Veterans' Day Observance St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com 
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by Bob Moore, SLFP.com © 2004, St. Louis Front Page ST. LOUIS, MO (SLFP.com) November 6, 2004 - A brilliant blue sky and flags waving in unseasonably warm breezes set the tone for an annual celebration, Saturday, November 6, 2004. With thousands of military personnel and veterans participating in the event, it was surprising to see such a small crowd turn out in downtown St. Louis for what has been in the past one of the largest Veterans' Day Parades in the country. War veterans, family members and friends gathered quietly in front of the Soldiers' Memorial, at 1315 Chestnut, for the beginning of the 21st Annual Veterans' Day Parade and Observance. The U.S. Army Color Guard led the ceremony with the Advance of The Colors. Master of ceremonies and parade's narrator was Ron Elz (Johnny Rabbit). 2004 Honorary Parade Marshall was Ms. Barbara McNair who toured with Bob Hope and his troupe of entertainers during the Vietnam War. Jan Eckhoff and her daughter, Jennifer, stood at attention as Ms. Kathy Lawton Brown sang the National Anthem. When asked if any family members were in the service, Jan stated emotionally, "My son is serving honorably in Iraq. We are going to come out of this and it's going to be fine." She added that her husband served in Vietnam. "Proud to Have Served" Second Lieutenant Robert Wagner wore his World War II uniform decorated with ribbons and a Purple Heart. "I fought with the infantry in France, Germany and finally ended up in Austria," stated Wagner, over the sound of marching bands and military vehicles. Wagner stood proudly at attention near the Grand Stand and saluted every pass of the American flag. When asked about the poor attendance at the parade, Wagner responded "I don't think the newspapers or television give the veterans enough publicity. There's not enough notices in the paper and they don't advertise it enough." This reporter commented that you would think people would know to come as it happens every year, just like the Christmas parade. "You have to remind the people and give them advance notice," observed Wagner. "You can't just take it for granted, people forget." "People are aware of the proceedings in Iraq and the big battle that's going to happen," continued Wagner. "It's pretty sad to see our boys over there. I don't approve of it and I don't think we should be over there. But, we have to support them. I don't think we had a good reason even though Saddam Hussein was evil. He's not the one who directed the 9/11 attack. Osama Bin Laden is the one that we should go after," stated Wagner firmly. Wagner, age 87, joined the National Guard in 1940 at the age of 23 and then went into the Federal Service (Army). "I was looking for excitement, to have some fun, and to see something," he laughed. Wagner went from Camp Robinson, Arkansas, to Louisiana, then Fort Ord in California, Fort Lewis in Washington and finally spent a year in Alaska. In 1943, he came back to Fort Benning and received his orders to go oversee as a replacement officer. "I was in Utah Beach after the invasion. I saw combat in Europe until I got out in 1945." Keynote speaker for the event was Colonel Debra Cook, Human Resource Command - St. Louis. A POW/MIA Remembrance, narrated by CSM Ray Hemingway, US Army Human Resources Command, was followed by the Laying of the Wreaths: "Court of Honor" and the Operation "Iraqi Freedom" veteran's recognition. Ms. Rita Hardy presented the Bob Hardy Veteran's Advocacy Award to Paul Arca, an active member of the 82nd Airborne Association and the Support Point Man Ministry.
2003 Veterans Day Observance St. Louis Makes Poor Showing to Honor Veterans 2002 Veterans Day Observance "St. Louis Veteran's Day Observance Committee Honors Popular Local Radio Personality" 2001 Veterans Day Observance "Proud to Be an American" |
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 The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group . |
Jan Eckhoff and her daughter, Jennifer, stood at attention as Ms. Kathy Lawton Brown sang the National Anthem prior to the start of the Veterans' Day Parade at the Soldiers' Memorial in downtown St. Louis.
