Veteran's fishing day at Missouri Veterans Cemetary

Friday, September 27, 2019

Dexter STATESMAN/Josh Ayers

Friday morning veterans had the chance to gather at The Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield for a morning of fishing. The Missouri Department of Conservation, Stoddard County Ambulance District and several volunteers were on hand to assist the veterans. After the fishing was completed the veterans were served lunch prepared by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

The Missouri Conservation Agents and member of the Missouri Highway Patrol that were on hand.
Retired Dexter Fire Chief and military veteran Al Banken led the prayer before lunch.
The American Legion Women's Auxiliary prepared the dessert for the meal.
Three branches of the military are represented in this photo of retired veterans. From left: Grizz Phillips, Air Force; Tom Love, Marines and Earl Reed, Navy.
The cooks at work led by James Kaufman (front).
Stoddard County Conservation Agent Michael Collins assists Ted VanGennip with the large catfish he reeled in.
This blue gill was no match this this WWII Veteran, Robert Duckworth, is 102 years young.
Veteran Jessie Barnes fishes along side Tom and Janet Wall.
Scott County Conservation Agent Andrew Mothershead assists veteran Martin Reinbott.
Veteran James Beaird, of Sikeston, waits for that first fish to bite.