I'm a little more impassioned about this letter than I might have been because my dad, Roland Morgan was one of these honored veterans.
Weather in Washington D.C. was not good but they had the time of their lives. They visited all the poplar memorials but none more important or more deserved than the WWII Memorial for which they had waited most of their lives to see built.
The send off in Poplar Bluff was nothing less than totally unbelievable. It was held at the Poplar Bluff High School gym filled with students, ROTC cadets in uniform, politicians, family members, other veterans, and well wishers all providing the greatest display of American Patriotism I have witnessed in memory. After the ceremony while the WWII vets were loading the bus for the trip to St. Louis, the students and others waving flags and cheering lined both sides of the departure route. The bus was led by the Butler County Sheriff, the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Patriot Guard motorcycle group which led them all the way to the airport. AWESOME!!!!
OK here is why I'm writing. This trip came with a cost of over $25,000, all from donations. There were also several "Guardians"/Helpers" that paid their own way. Rob Callahan with First Midwest Bank in Poplar Bluff is "the man" in our area to thank for this project. He heads up the Honor Tour. We need to get the word out about this program..WWII veterans don't have a lot of time to have a chance to make this trip.
One of the best ways I know to get the word to people is the media. Our local, in state TV station, KFVS 12 did not show for the send off nor had coverage Friday night about the trip. Question? Was it because it wasn't in Cape or was it because it was about something "good".
Whatever the reason I feel it was a big mistake!!!!!! If you feel the same, please let KFVS 12 know. Their web site is: KFVS12.com.
Please help make this trip possible for other WWII veterans in our area by making a donation to this project and please make an effort to seek out a WWII veteran and thank them for their service.
Tax-deductible donations to:
Rob Callahan
P.O. box 694
Poplar Bluff, Mo 63902







