MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AT THE CARROLL COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK WITH DAVID SHUEY PERFORMING AS JOHN J. PERSHING

David Shuey spoke in first person portraying John J. Pershing, who was born September 13, 1860 and died July 15, 1948.  He was the one who in 1906 was promoted from Captain Pershing to Brigadier General Pershing by President Theodore Roosevelt.  He was born at home in Laclede, Linn County, Missouri, the son-of a railroad section boss.  In 1877, he began teaching school in Laclede, to help with family finances resulting from the 1873 depression.  Two years later he moved 10 miles to Prairie Mound school district.  Planning a destiny as a lawyer turned out to be more that of a teacher!  In 1881, he entered a competitive examination for an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point and finished first out of sixteen.  John J. Pershing, nicknamed “Black Jack”, graduated in June 1886 as First Captain ranking 30^th in his class.

In September 1886 2nd Lt. Pershing reports for duty with 6th Cavalry at Fort Bayard, New Mexico. Participated in the tragic Wounded Knee campaign.  He was assigned the University of Nebraska in 1801 as military science professor, where he serves for four years.  Then came various military assignments and teaching positions.

When he returned to Washington in 1903 for service with the War Department, Pershing met the daughter of Wyoming senator Francis E. Warren.  Pershing and Frances Warren married January 26, 1905 and their first child was born in September 1906 – the year he became Brigadier General.  They had two more daughters and a son.  Pershing received a telegram in August 1915 that his wife Frances and all three of his daughters had died in a fire at the Presidio.  He returned back to San Francisco to attend the funeral and arrange for bringing his son Warren to Fort Bliss in Texas.  He went back to more military assignments and then in 1921 he was named Army Chief of Staff.  In 1939 Pershing warned that the US active and reserve forces were not adequate. On July 15^th, 1948 General of the Armies John J Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces of World War I died.  He is buried at Arlington with his men beneath a standard gravestone.

County Commission Chairman Marty Smith is greeted by Chaplain Bruce Holley.

The Guest speaker David Shuey (History Teller Productions, Newville, PA) appeared as General Pershing and he delivered a speech about the U.S. entrance into the Great War on April 6, 1917.  If you missed this event, you missed a real blessing!  He was thoroughly prepared and made this a wonderful tribute to our Veterans and a meaningful lesson to us all!

Park supporter Sheriff Terry Langley helping when needed.

Chaplain Bruce Holley led the morning prayer.

Rifle salute...

The Laying of the Wreath.

David Shuey speaking as Gen. John J. Pershing.

The Carroll County Symphony Wind Ensemble played period songs with vocals by the Camerata A-Cappella Ensemble beginning at 10:30 A. M.

Rifle Squad - American Legion Post 143.

The Bell Tower is pictured in the background - center.

22 young soldiers from Carroll County that died in service during The Great War were remembered with the tolling of the Park Bell after each name was announced by Barry Gardner. 

Old Glory is raised at the end of the ceremony.

David Shuey and Barry Gardner share with attendees.

The Abraham Baldwin Chapter NSDAR is a supporter of the Park and had several members present for the ceremony.  Pictured for the left are Gwyn Chesnut, Sandy Vierling, Violette Denney, Speaker David Shuey, Martha Stapler, Wendy Quinn, Sherryll Miles, and Karen Denney.