Veterans
Florea remembers Army friends on Memorial Day
MARYVILLE, Mo. — With nearly every seat in the crowd filled, Roger Florea received a standing ovation at American Legion Post 100 on Memorial Day, struggling to finish the final words of his remembrance of a fallen friend and the camaraderie he gained from his experiences during the Vietnam War. Florea, a longtime member of…
Read MoreAfter the pandemic, military quilts completed, delivered
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Through a global pandemic, following a family death and working around field work, members of the McKee family were able last week to view two of several family military memory quilts completed by local quilter Ruth Wake. In 2020, Hopkins farmer, auctioneer and trucker Michael McKee saw a memory quilt completed by…
Read MoreEugene Field student collecting phones for veterans
MARYVILLE, Mo. — One Eugene Field Elementary student is taking it upon herself to assist veterans in one important way: helping them be able to communicate with family and friends or make appointments for care. Through a program she started called “Phones for Veterans,” fourth grader Zoeyjane Hager hopes to make available used cellphones to…
Read MoreNorthwest Missouri veterans reunite for honor flight
WASHINGTON — Veteran participants of the fall 2023 Heartland Honor Flight held a reunion on Nov. 29 and traveled to the country’s capital again. According to a news release, the group gathered to munch on snacks, renew acquaintances with other veterans and receive a preview of the CD that each veteran received of the pictures…
Read MoreVFW recognizes Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy winners
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Seth Ray David Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 442 of Maryville recognized local Patriot’s Pen winners Vilhelmina Chloupek, Emily Yaple and Avah Eckley last week. Chloupek, a sixth grader from St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School, was awarded first place in the 2023 Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest by Maryville’s VFW post.…
Read MoreAmerican Legion marks Veterans Day
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Rod McKinney, a retired first sergeant with the U.S. Army National Guard, was the guest speaker at the Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday at James Edward Gray American Legion Post 100 in Maryville. McKinney, of Maryville, spent much of his career as a recruiter, spending a lot of time both with young…
Read MoreLittle paving path for younger veterans at American Legion
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Nathan Little is a rarity among veterans: a member of the American Legion in his 40s. “We used to joke that when I went in there I lowered the (average) age by about 20 years,” he said. U.S. Census Bureau data from 2021 — the most recent available — shows that of…
Read MoreBenefit changes bring possible financial help for veterans
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Military benefits are constantly being updated and many veterans and their families may find now to be a good time to look at their benefits with the passage of the PACT Act last year. The PACT Act is a new law that expands Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for…
Read MoreSpoofhounds march in National Memorial Day Parade
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Maryville Marching Spoofhounds performed during the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 29, but the trip offered the students more than a rainy parade route. With the help of around 15 chaperones, nearly 50 band members saw the sights at the National Mall, toured museums and ended…
Read MoreRecognizing Westfall
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Local veteran Robert “Bob” Westfall was honored during a Military Flag Retreat ceremony held last week at the Missouri State Fair. Westfall told The Forum on Tuesday that the event was “real nice.” He described a solemn, but relaxed event. “They told a little bit about me and I got to say…
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