CAPE GIRARDEAU — A small newspaper written and produced by a few Union soldiers during the Civil War is now a journalistic tradition spanning 160 years.
The Stars and Stripes is celebrating its birthday with a craft fair and a banquet. The public is invited to the celebration at the Osage Center on Saturday, Nov. 6.
The craft fair is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free admission and over 50 tables of local wares.
Stars and Stripes Museum curator Laura Dumey said this is an opportunity to shop local.
Starting at 5 p.m., there will be dinner and a silent auction to support the museum. The silent auction will feature 40 items, including trips and items donated by various businesses including SEMO Electric, Tyson and Nestle Purina.
Dinner plates are $100 each and can be purchased at the museum by calling 573-568-2055. Dumey said seating is limited so reservations are recommended.
“This should be a great event for veterans who remember Stars and Stripes, and those who want to recall a few of the glory days of newspapering,” said Dumey. “The program features Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan and Stars and Stripes editor Terry Leonard. Music is by the Jerry Ford Orchestra.”
McLoughan received the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump for his service in Vietnam.
Maj. Gen. Cassie Strom will emcee the event Saturday evening.
The event will feature World War II displays, a silent auction and information on the Stars and Stripes Museum and Library’s outreach efforts: Liberty Days, re-enactor programs and educational efforts for children.
Background from Stripes.com:
Stars and Stripes maintains news bureaus around the world, including Europe, the Pacific region and the Middle East to provide first-hand reporting on events. In addition to news and sports, Stars and Stripes news products contain all the elements of an American news organization.
The newspapers for deployed personnel are provided at no charge to service members serving in harm’s way. In Europe and the Pacific, the newspaper is sold on base in coin boxes and at military exchanges. Home delivery to subscribers is available in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea. Stars and Stripes also produces a weekly U.S. edition distributed to more than 30 locations inside the continental United States.
Other publications include special supplements focused on topics of interest to the military community, such as education, transition and retirement planning. In addition to its print publications, Stars and Stripes delivers breaking news 24 hours a day through its premier Stripes.com website and on mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Stars and Stripes has not been published continuously. A few editions were printed in 1861 and the paper was revived for WWI and WWII. The current publication has been in operation since the second World War.