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2022/11/07 - Mayor's Column: Veterans' Day

“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH

I would like to start this column by saying thank you to everyone that has raised their hand to serve and defend our great country. Those brave heroes deserve to be celebrated every day, not just on Veterans’ Day.

However, November 11th is set aside each year to honor everyone that has served and/or continues to serve our nation. On Veterans’ Day, all of us should pay our respect for those that have worn our country’s military uniforms.

Over 41 million have stepped up to serve our country and November 11th is the day that we can remember and honor all of them.

I will especially remember my favorite Veteran, my father, Sergeant First Class, Herbert R. Roach Sr., U.S. Army. He served during World War II through the Pacific Islands and was aboard a ship heading toward Japan when Japan surrendered.  He like so many of our veterans never spoke much about what they saw or encountered during their service to our country.

It was not until a year ago that my sister and I discovered that our dad was the recipient of the Bronze Star for his action during the war.  Dad was shot in the side while working to rescue about 12 soldiers that had gone down a ravine and were trapped in a personnel carrier that had been hit by enemy fire.  With God’s blessings, all of them including our father were brought to safety.

On Friday, November 11th, O’Fallon will honor all our veterans with two events:

  • At 11 AM there will be a ceremony at the Baptist Church on Rt. 50.
  • At 2 PM the VFW will hold its annual Veterans Day Parade which starts at the Community Park and ends at the VFW Post 805 on First Street in the Downtown District.

I hope to see you at one or both of the events.

As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open.