Mexico, Audrain and Callaway counties and area schools and institutions joined in the national observance of Veterans Day Thursday.

FFAs, including Mexico, served veterans breakfast. Schools, including Mexico High School, held assemblies. Missouri Military Academy (MMA) drilled at the Missouri Veterans Home before its residents; and hosted a ceremony on the school campus. Businesses offered special discounts to those who served and restaurants like Stacey’s Place and Brick City Buffet offered free meals to vets.

It seems as though everyone in the area remains mindful - and appreciative - of the sacrifices so many men and women have made over the decades to help make the United States a place worth living.

At MHS, the Veterans Day assembly included a welcoming of veterans and their families by Cora Ransom, veterans were ushered into the gym by Kacey Craddock and Matty Tolbert, and the presentation of colors was conducted by the MHS JROTC. Craddock led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the national anthem by the MHS, led by Julie Pappas.

Special recognition was given to veterans in attendance as Ransom read names of each one, asking them to stand to be honored. Introductions were complemented by a performance by the MHS Bulldog Pride Band, led by Josh Yancey, who performed a “Salute to America’s Finest”, which was a medley including themes for each of the armed forces. Veterans representing each respective branch stood as their music played.
Veteran and MHS graduate Randall R. Gooch was the keynote speaker, reminding attendees that “freedom isn’t free” and that “courage in not common.” He was followed by a salute to fallen soldiers by MHS JROTC and MHS Student Council. Bre’Lynn James played “Taps”, and closing ceremonies included the retiring of colors by the MHS JROTC, a closing message from Ransom and the exit of veterans.
The ceremony was a fitting recognition of the servicemen and women who served from Audrain County.

About Veterans Day, by the VFW

Veterans Day is an opportunity to publicly commemorate the contributions of living veterans. Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action.

If World War I had been “the war to end all wars,” November 11 might be still called Armistice Day. Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of World War II and Korea, Congress decided to make the day an occasion to honor all those who have served America. In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.