Randolph County celebrates veterans, independence with special ceremony

July Fourth, Independence Day. It began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the first step in severing this country’s ties from Great Britain. It was a bold step, in the eyes of the British, a traitorous act, one punishable by death. It was not something done lightly. And it was a step which eventually led to war, but ultimately to freedom, to independence.

Since that time in 1776, the 13 colonies which became the United State of America, have had to fight to retain the basic rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” To honor those in Randolph County who have given their all to maintain those liberties, an Independence Day Veterans Recognition ceremony was held Saturday, July 3 at Oakland Cemetery.

This is the second annual event held in Moberly and is sponsored by the Veteran Flag Project. The Veteran Flag Project is the brainchild of Mary Wolf and Phil Merry, who saw flags flying in honor of veterans in Centralia two years ago and thought it a worthwhile endeavor for this area. The idea quickly blossomed from 50 flags shortly after its inception last year to about 200 this year.

One section of flags is called the Avenue of Honor. Flags honoring those who were killed in action or, in two cases, for those who were prisoners of war, fly along this roadway, reminding all who pass of the sacrifice made in the name of independence.

The flags and the sacrifices made for what the flag represents was the recurring theme of Saturday’s event. Art Latson, retired Air Force, was the master of ceremonies. He told of the importance of the flag. We swear our loyalty to it, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands…” The flag was the standard in battle and keeping it waving provided morale and signified success.

But keeping the flag waving for over 200 years has come at a high cost. Latson gave the numbers of those lost in wars beginning with the 4,000 who died in the Revolutionary War. With the recounting of the World War I dead on to those offering their lives today, he reminded the large crowd in attendance that “Randolph County was there” and that all had been wounded, “if not on their bodies, then in their hearts.”

But Latson was quick to emphasize that it was not in vain.

“The flag still endures reminding us of freedom,” he said.

“On days of remembrance like this, we celebrate our own freedom won through brutal sacrifice, and we are humbled,” said Col. Jeff Mikesell, retired Air Force and former Moberlyan. Mikesell, a familiar face in Moberly, served as the keynote speaker.

“But sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.”

Mikesell spoke of a “new greatest generation’ of men and women who volunteer to be placed in harm’s way for the cause of liberty and the “love of, and loyalty to, our country.”

“The youth of our nation continues to fight and die for a cause larger than themselves,” said Mikesell. “These young soldiers are continuing an unending line of proud citizens who answered our nation’s call to duty. Their sacrifices, and that of their families in answering the call to duty, will preserve our freedom for generations to come. The American people must continue to support our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines by honoring their service and welcoming them home.”

Col. Mikesell served nearly 25 years with the Air Force. His duties and accomplishments include 4,000 military flying hours as a command pilot, he was a B-1 B bomber flight instructor and he was selected to attend Senior Service School at Air War College in Alabama. He was deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Mikesell, and his wife Stacy have seen service and sacrifice in another light, as well. Their son Jake is a Marine with a Bronze Star with valor and two Purple Hearts. He has served in Iraq twice and Afghanistan once in his four years of military service.

Also participating in Saturday’s ceremony were the American Legion Bazan-Bailey Post 6 Color guard; Jeff Howard, pastor and Staff Sargeant with the Missouri National Guard, provided the invocation and the benediction; Wayne Wilcox, county commissioner and US Army CWO5 (ret.), led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jane Ellen Kindell and Molly Nuhn sang the National Anthem and some patriotic tunes, ending with Kindell leading the audience in “God Bless America”. Dr. Norris Preston, past national vice commander of the Missouri American Legion introduced the speaker. Paul Copenhaver and Kathleen Ketchum played Echo Taps to conclude the recognition ceremony.

“Recognition of our service members … is a national debt that can only truly be repaid by individual Americans,” said Mikesell. “By honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory, and thus their service and sacrifice, in the memories of future generations.”