There won’t be any parades in Cassville to mark the occasion, but Friday, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day. While not important to some, to approximately 3,000 Barry Countians, living or deceased, who have served in the Armed Forces of this country, this will possibly bring back memories, some that they might enjoy, others they had just as soon forget.
According to the Missouri Veteran’s Commission and the Veteran’s Administration, these veterans in the county are those who served in wartime, not peace time service.
Wartime breakout
Of this total number, the agencies estimate five percent were in World War II or 150 still living, 300 are from the Korean War or 10%. These are 2013 statistics. There were no World War 1 veterans living in the county.
From the VA for the year before these numbers, there were about 3,500 veterans listed in the county. Vietnam veterans residing in the county are estimated at 1,020.
The veterans’ organizations also estimate Barry County is home to 780 veterans of the period that ranges from the Gulf War to present conflicts at 780. According to the numbers provided, about 10 percent of Barry County’s population has served their country in war time.
Numbers in veteran organization membership roles indicate these veterans are not participating in these functions as they once did.
World War I
Absence of WW I numbers is obvious due to the age they had reached before their passing.
The final three in this community were prominent in the way they had served not only in the Army but in Cassville as well. J.A. (Pop) Blalack, Chevrolet dealer, held the most IDC stock and was benefactor for the American Legion financially by signing the bank note during construction of the post home. Charley Riddle, cobbler, was a longtime city councilman and school board member, involved in some early Cassville progress. Charley Willis, insurance man, not a native of Cassville, but who dove into local activities and advancements throughout his lifetime. Probably sang at more funerals than any other male member of the community.
Profiteers
Whether you can believe it happening in this small community of Cassville or not, there were profiteers during World War !! that made fortunes on the fact that rationed or hard-to-get items could be sold if the buyer was agreeable to pay a high price. The practice was known throughout the community, and, as in other communities in the nation, wasn’t touched unless the violations were on a large scale. If there was a fortunate part of the practices in marketing a number of items, in later years some entities received funds that would never have been available through other means.
Choices
Those from Barry County didn’t always have a choice of service, especially during WW II, when the Selective Service System, or County Draft Boards, would give them a rating and then a possible call-up depending on requirements of the Armed Forces. Virtually from that point on, the country’s Armed Forces relied on volunteer status for their personnel. Drafting of soldiers, sailors and airmen has not been necessary in more recent military actions.
Flags will fly
On light standards, businesses and homes, the flag of the United States of America will fly on Veteran’s Day to remember those, living and deceased, who gave of themselves so humanity, both at home and on other shores could face a better life. Irwin-Easley American Legion Post of Cassville will once again post flags on light standards through the main streets in town.
Breakfast
Back in the days the Irwin-Easley American Legion was extremely active in the community, Veteran’s Day signaled an early alarm clock for the cooking crew of the post to put breakfast on the stove at the post home for everyone in the local area. It didn’t matter if the person had served in the Armed Forces or not, breakfast was on the post.
There were several that could be counted on to perform their usual duty on this day. When the post failed one year, Harry Stephens and I agreed to put on the breakfast if we could use the kitchen at the Legion Home. The permission was not forthcoming by the administration in charge, so the event went by the wayside as have many worthwhile events in the community.
Display your flag
Cassville could become a Flag City for a special Veteran’s Day 2022, if people would make the effort to have a flag of the United States of America in their home or business.
Sets are readily available, or any member of the American Legion can find one for the person wishing of join the flag flyers on this special day. It is also appropriate to place a smaller American Flag on the grave of those who have served in the military of this country.
Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat. He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.
