Scott Airmen march in Veterans Day parade in St. Louis

Published Nov. 9, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- More than 100 service members from Team Scott participated in the Veterans Day parade Nov. 5, hosted by St. Louis to honor all veterans.

The Scott AFB contingent of Air Force and Navy members complimented the numerous other organizations marching that included local Reserve Officer Training Corps participants and veterans from previous eras. Historical military vehicles, fire trucks and new sports cars were also displayed in the parade.

"You always hear on the radio and TV how the troops are deserving of recognition," said Master Sgt. Garrett Rosier, Air Force Network Integration Center. "There are so many people doing great things for us, so seeing us march in a parade is one way they can actually see some of the people in uniforms who go into harm's way ... or who have been in harm's way. This just gives them a face for the American people to identify as the military."

Whether marching in a parade or speaking at an event, there are different ways to celebrate, but for most, it's just about honoring those who serve.

"When I was young, Veterans Day was just a day off, but as I've grown older it has taken on deeper meaning," said Master Sgt. Jennefer Mefferd, 375th Operational Support Squadron superintendent of operations. "My husband was in Afghanistan where his responsibilities were to evacuate servicemembers who were injured or transfer those who'd been killed and ensure they're returned to their final resting place. Veterans Day to me is for them."

For Rosier, the day is all about giving back to those who have come before.

"I always make sure to talk to World War II and Vietnam War veterans because the way they fought the war was up close and personal. I know it's real emotional for them, and while some may just want to forget their experiences, others I know appreciate the fact that they're being recognized. In my generation, it can appear that war is less one-on-one and attacks are hidden. Today, we've got technology doing a lot of the work that these men had to do themselves, so I honor their service. I just hope that future generations honor our service as well, even though it's conducted in a different manner."

Veterans Day events
Event: United Way Helping Veterans "Get Connected" open house and service fair
Date: Nov. 10
Time: 7:30 a.m. to noon
Location: United Way of Greater St. Louis, Headquarters, St. Louis, Mo.
Comments: Register online at www.2.stl.unitedway.org/veterans or by phone (314) 539-4125

Event: Red Bud Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Red Bud Ratz Memorial Park, Red Bud, Ill.
Speaker: Maj. Michael Good, 618th Air Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center)

Event: Collinsville American Legion Post 365's Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 1030 a.m.
Location: Downtown Collinsville, Ill.

Event: Clinton County Veterans Day Parade
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: New Baden, Ill.
Comment: U.S. Transportation Command Joint Color Guard scheduled to participate.

Event: 13th Annual Belleville Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Public Square at the fountain
Speaker: Retired Col. Curt Piontkowsky
Comment: Scott Color Guard and Capt. Ronald Kiser, 375th Air Mobility Wing chaplain, scheduled to participate.

Event: O'Fallon Veterans Day Ceremony (Illinois)
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Veterans Monument
Speaker: Reverend Jack Swank, U.S. Marine Corps
Comment: Scott Color Guard and 375th Air Mobility Wing Chapel scheduled to support. In the event of inclement weather, ceremony will be moved to the O'Fallon Public Safety Building.

Event: O'Fallon VFW Post 805 Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Parade begins at O'Fallon Community Park; ceremony to be held at VFW Hall
Speaker: Maj. Gen. Kevin Leonard, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command

Event: St. Louis VA Medical Center Veterans Day Program
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Third Baptist Church in St. Louis
Comments: Event includes performances by Staff Sgt Brian Owens, Air National Guard Band of the Central States, and the St. Louis Symphony.

Event: Mascoutah Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Mascoutah High School, Mascoutah, Ill.
Speaker: Capt. Johanna O'Toole, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and Capt. Robert Thelen III, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

Event: Edwardsville Veterans Day Parade
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Parade starts at the Edwardsville Fire Station on North Main Street.

Event: Waterloo Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Waterloo High School, Waterloo, Ill.

Event: Vandalia American Legion Post 95's Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: American Legion Post 95, Vandalia, Ill.

Event: St. Charles Veterans Day Ceremony
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: St. Charles County Courthouse, St. Charles, Mo.; in the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to American Legion Post 312.

Event: O'Fallon Veterans Day Ceremony (Missouri)
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: O'Fallon Veterans Memorial Walk, O'Fallon, Mo.

Event: American Legion Post 404's Annual Tribute to Women Veterans
Date: Nov. 19
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Two Hearts Banquet Center, St. Louis, Mo.
*There are many Veterans Day ceremonies in the local area. This list is not all inclusive. For information about Veterans Day activities in your specific town, contact your city hall or chamber of commerce.