Letter to the Editor

Your view: Legion's role

Thursday, September 5, 2002

Dear Editor:

Over the last half-century the American Legion has played out a very important role in the Sikeston community. Each fall for the past 50 years this organization, along with its auxiliary has sponsored the Cotton Carnival, a week-long event, now a very important part of our city culture. During this event, the children of Sikeston enjoy the carnival on the cool fall evenings with excitement each night with the beauty contests starting on Wednesday and ending on Saturday. Each Wednesday at lunch the Legion provides a free lunch and carnival rides for the mentally handicapped of the Sikeston area. Of course the climax is the large parade held on Saturday that will have anywhere from 200 to 220 units marching, including 20 area high school bands.

Each year the American Legion ensures that 12 boys from the Sikeston Senior High School have the opportunity to attend Missouri Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion - "a week to shape a lifetime," teaching these young men about our great democratic institutions and how they function.

Each summer the American Legion provides the major funding to help with Legion baseball, which is one of the most competitive baseball leagues in our region, state and nation, giving these young teen-agers the opportunity to perform their talent and the possibility of enhancing their chances to play at the college and major league level of baseball. The Legion also sponsors a little league team each summer.

The Sikeston American Legion Post plays a very important role each year in reminding the citizens of our community of the service and sacrifice that was made to keep our nation, state and community strong and free! Members participate in every Memorial Day and Veterans Day service, along with placing flags down Kingshighway for Memorial Day, Veterans Day and other special occasions. The Post also is a major donor each year to the Sikeston Veterans Park in helping with the upkeep and assists in funding the current static displays that include the tank, jet and artillery howitzer.

The Sikeston American Legion Post through the years has donated countless dollars to many worthwhile projects and charities in our community and purchases turkeys to help provide a meal for the less fortunate on Thanksgiving. But most importantly, it provides funds to those veterans who have fallen on hard times.

Sikeston American Legion