Military Life

Air Force Airmen Matt T. DeGraffenreid, Kevin J. Doyal, Andrew R. Morris, Brandon W. Bingaman, Daniel J. McGovern and Michael J. Fusaro II, Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyler V. Miller and Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Daniel R. Meenen graduated...... Full story

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs federal inspection team conducted an annual visit to Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg Oct. 25-27, 2011. The purpose of the routine inspection was to ensure the home’s compliance with national regulatory...... Full story

On Jan. 11, Charles Pierce, of Camarillo, Calif. got the chance to do something he’s dreamed about for years — say thank you. Pierce is a survivor of the Holocaust and he credits the U.S. 20th Armored Division for saving his life. Don...... Full story

American Legion Post 642 will host a chili cookoff and pool tournament Jan. 21 at 2016 W. Main St.The chili cook-off will be from 5 to 7 p.m. All entries are due by 4:30 p.m. and there’s a two-quart minimum. The entry fee is $5. The top three...... Full story

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4195 will host a breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the post, on state Route D in Knob Noster. The meal costs $6 and includes eggs, hash browns, biscuits with gravy, ham, bacon, sausage and pancakes. It is open to...... Full story

Members of the American Legion Post 16 received a plaque on Dec. 12 recognizing their donation of a cargo trailer to the Smith-Cotton High School JROTC program.This is the second trailer they donated to the JROTC program.The first trailer was...... Full story

To honor veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, members of the Whiteman Air Force Base 442nd Maintenance Group walked throughout the home visiting with veterans and handing out cups and lanyards.... Full story

David Barker, of Odessa, didn’t know if he’d survive the German attacks. He was drafted May 8, 1944, at the age of 26. He was selected to be in the horse cavalry and was sent to Fort Riley, Kan. “I was raised up on a farm and...... Full story

D-Day, June 6, 1944. I remember that day well. The news was full about the invasion. I was only 14 years old. The reason I recall the date was because my older brother, Leo Koechner (1924-1993) was home from Army basic training. He had recently been...... Full story

Marine Pfc. Jamie N. Clark graduated from basic training on Dec. 16 in San Diego.He leaves for infantry school on Jan. 3 at Camp Pendleton in California. He is a graduate of Clinton High School. He is the son of Shawn and Vickey Clark, of Clinton,...... Full story

Navy Seaman Apprentice Paige M. Nielsen recently completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. She is a 2010 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School.... Full story

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Matthew E. Kersey, Air Force Airman Aaron J. Cramer and Airman Samantha J. Cundiff graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.Kersey is the son of Donald Kersey, of...... Full story

Navy Fire Controllman 3rd Class Petty Officer E-4 Autumn Irby was named a distinguished honor graduate from Aegis Training and Readiness Center in Dahlgren, Va., in November. She graduated at the top of her class and trained as an Aegis computer...... Full story

A DVD is available for purchase of the Sedalia Democrat’s 50th anniversary tribute to the beginning of the Vietnam War held on Oct. 30. In this three-hour video, James “Smitty” Smith, of Smithton, shares his story about the...... Full story

Leonard Semkin, of Sedalia, learned the importance of good driving when he served in World War II. He was drafted into the Army at the age of 19. He reported for duty on March 5, 1943, at Leavenworth, Kan. He was sent to Camp Campbell, Ky., for...... Full story