The 23rd SCHS Annual Memorial Day Ceremony – May 29, 2017
Venue
On the Green
at St Lucas
On the green at St. Lucas
The grassy park area next to St Lucas church along Denny Road.
11735 Denny Road 63126
All are invited, open and free to the public.
Ceremony sponsored by Sappington-Concord Historical Society and generously hosted by St Lucas UCC on the green next to the church on Denny Road.
Address: 11735 Denny Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63126.
Call Stephen Hanpeter with questions: 314-918-1617.
Email: schs.webmanager@gmail.com
See more on web page about Memorial Day.
See directions to the Green at St Lucas.
Program features among others;
• Speaker, KSDK news anchor Ryan Dean – stories to inspire our spirits
• Boy Scout Troops 646 and 25 – for the promise of youth
• LHS marching band – to feed our souls and to strike our delight
• Moolah Drum Corps – to feel the haunting depths of echo taps
• Vocalist Rachel Nieters – to waft into the feeling of patriotic vocal pieces
• Color guard – to present the flags of the day
• Tribute to MIA/POW – to remember the special group of service people who have not returned
• Laying of wreath – to start the remembrance
• Doves of peace – to heighten our fancy
• Live eagle display – to show strength and wisdom
Ryan Dean to speak
The main presentation will be by Ryan Dean, reporter and anchor for KSDK. He will speak on six local Service members who served in World War II and Korea, Edward Lyston, Pete Winter, Charlie Stockhausen, Evelyn Stolz, Norm Leigh and Morris Grattendick. Says Randy Ottinger, master of ceremonies, “The comments from our speaker will highlight the service of five members of the greatest generation to bring their stories alive for the whole community.”
Music
The music for the program includes vocal numbers by Lindbergh High School Junior Rachel Nieters, taps by the Moolah Drum Corps, and band music by select members of the Lindbergh High School Spirit of St. Louis marching band led by director David Wyss.
Of particular interest to kids
Besides the music there will be small American flags passed out to the audience.
The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Boy Scout Troop 646 St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, and Troop 25 of Long School.
The World Bird Sanctuary will be on hand with a live eagle display.
Cookies and punch will be served at the reception following the ceremony.
Up to 100 doves of peace will be released during the ceremony.
Doves of peace
The doves of peace are homing pigeons. When they are released, they fly home sometimes at speeds of up to 60 miles an hour. One famous military pigeon dubbed G.I. Joe, “is credited with saving lives I’ve at least 1000 British allies during World War II,” according to the American Racing Pigeon Union of Oklahoma City. They have been known to fly for up to 16 hours nonstop. Homing pigeons were used frequently in wartime to deliver messages from front line positions or to help spies and scouts. Learn more about these amazing birds and their keepers at the Memorial Day ceremony. Says Charlie Klipsch of the American Racing Pigeon Union, “it’s an honor to participate in the Memorial Day ceremony and inform people about the role pigeons had in the military.”
Parking and seating
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Parking will be available on the east parking lot at St. Lucas (please enter through the west parking lot entrance).
Reception with refreshments
Following the ceremony, all are invited to attend a reception in the auditorium at St. Lucas.
“Hometown Heroes” will be for sale
The SCHS book on 140 local veterans, “Hometown Heroes” will be for sale for $10. The purchase price helps to pay for the annual Memorial Day ceremony and other programs honoring veterans. With the purchase price comes a subscription to the 2017 issues of the SCHS newsletter chocked full of local history features.
SCHS celebrating its 25th anniversary
Sappington-Concord Historical Society was founded 25 years ago to educate students in the Lindbergh Schools about their local history. To that end, the historical Society will be holding its second archaeological dig for high school students at the Sappington House in Crestwood June 1-17. The SCHS honors veterans with its annual Memorial Day ceremony and other events throughout the year. It preserves and shares local history through it’s books and newsletter as well as presentations held regularly throughout the year. This year the historical Society received a bequest from founding member and historian Ross Wagner of his house and farm to be used as an historical center.
