Ribbon cutting held in Sikeston for addition of banners at Veterans Park
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Several people gathered at Veterans Park in Sikeston for a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning for the addition of banners at the park.
A Veteran’s Day Ceremony was held at 9:15 a.m. at the Sikeston Field House.
Gen Matthew Bacon with the Missouri National Guard was the honored guest and speaker.
The program included the singing of the national anthem, pledge of allegiance and a 21 gun salute. Sikeston High School band members played taps.
The ribbon cutting in support of the veteran’s banners took place immediately following the veteran’s ceremony at Sikeston high school field house. The ceremony gave students a chance to honor veterans and thank you them for their service. 16 banners were hung and will remain up in the park for a year. The vice president of Sikeston regional chamber Kathy Medley talks about an important piece to these banners.
“The Sikeston honors veterans’ banners were installed just this past week. Each banner recognizes a local veteran. “
“You can put your phone up to the poles to scan the QR code and it’ll take you right to our website.”
The website reveals more about the veteran’s honors program and directs you to an application to sign up for a veteran banner next year. Each banner has a veteran’s picture, name and service date located on it. Micheal Harris is the pastor of Open-Door Fellowship Ministries of Sikeston and a retired master Seargent from the Missouri National Guard. He found himself on one of the banners in veteran’s park.
“I feel very honored that I was selected to have my photo displayed. This is the first display of banners for the City of Sikeston,” Says Harris. He goes on to talk about his deployment time,
“I got the chance to go to Iraq in 2005. I served in Operation Enduring Freedom, uh to say about my career in Iraq it was something that I wouldn’t trade for the world, but I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
The veterans chosen for a banner were chosen at random from a lottery of applications.
Lunch will be provided at Post 114 after the ribbon cutting ceremony.
