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November 7, 2009

Salute to veterans stirs patriotism

By Emily Younker

eyounker@joplinglobe.com

With his foot in a cast, Jerry Casey had to sit out the Veterans Day parade this year.

But leaning on his crutches, he hobbled to the curb to salute both the veterans and his comrades in the Patriotic Guard Riders, a national group that supports soldiers and their families, particularly at funerals.

“It’s an honor to be able to support them (veterans),” Casey, of Diamond, said. “They risk our lives over in other countries so we can have our freedom.”

Veterans and active members of the armed forces were honored Saturday in Joplin’s annual Veterans Day parade, which featured members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Joplin High School JROTC, and family and friends of soldiers currently deployed.

Casey has been a member of the Patriotic Guard Riders since his son, Tyler, a volunteer firefighter with the Seneca Area Fire Protection District, died while warning people to seek shelter before the May 10, 2008, tornado.

When riders came to support the Casey family at his funeral, Jerry Casey knew the guard was calling him.

“When I saw how many people from the Patriotic Guard were there for us, I thought, ‘I want to get into that,’” he said.

Sharon Bowling, of Pittsburg, Kan., attended the parade for her husband, Roy, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Patriotic Guard Riders. Sitting with her along Main Street were her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Rich Bullock of Gladstone. They said they flew to Joplin specifically for the parade.

“We’re very patriotic, and we’re behind the soldiers and their families,” Bowling said.

Margie Black, of Joplin, has brought her children to the parade for at least 10 years.

“It’s something fun for the kids to do, and it’s something we need to do to show our support and our gratitude for the men and women who make sacrifices for our freedom on our behalf,” Black said. “It’s important, I think, for them to feel that support from the community.”

While her children enjoy the candy and marching bands, Black said she attends the parade to honor the veterans.

“I think it’s kind of powerful when you see the older veterans,” she said. “That’s a number that’s shrinking all the time, and when you see those gentlemen, it touches your heart.”

Steven and Jeri Cope, of Joplin, said they usually attend each year. Not only was their daughter, Anna, marching with the Joplin High School band, but the Copes also wanted to honor three veterans close to them: their son, Paul, who is in the National Guard; their nephew, who is in the Air Force; and Steven Cope’s father, who fought during the Korean War.

“I think it’s important we recognize and honor the veterans of all our wars, particularly since this is our freedom we’re celebrating,” Steven Cope said. “(In) some countries, you don’t get to do that. You have to come out for the parades they tell you to.”

Saturday’s parade also recognized the 203rd Engineer Battalion of the Missouri National Guard, which deployed on a yearlong tour to Afghanistan last month. Several of the soldiers’ families marched in their honor.

Billie Ward, whose 20-year-old son Cody is one of those soldiers, said the parade was her top priority Saturday. Her other son, Cory, recently finished a tour of Iraq and is stationed in Germany.

“It (the parade) means a lot to me,” Ward said. “I kind of wish there were more people, but we appreciate the ones that did show up for support.”

Marching alongside Ward was her daughter, Casey, 14.

“It’s boring at the house because there’s no one to hang out with,” Casey Ward said. “It makes me happy (to march in the parade) knowing I’m doing something, because they’re protecting us.”

Also completing the parade route in the arms of her mother, Robyn, was Ward’s granddaughter, Chloe, who is 6 months old. She wore a pink jumper that said, “If you love your freedom, thank my dad.”

“It means so much to be able to support him,” Robyn Ward said of her husband, Cody Ward. “I’m proud of everybody who’s served for us, whether they’re serving now or years ago.”

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