by Debi Boughton, Kirksville Tourism Director
Recently the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame held its first induction ceremony in Kirksville, Missouri at the Rieger Armory. John Sastry, Chairman of the Board served as Master of Ceremony. Truman ROTC presented the colors. The National Anthem was performed by the 135th Army Band. Kirksville Mayor, Zac Burden welcomed the more than 200 attendees. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe spoke.
Ten individuals were honored: Lieutenant Colonel Archie Miller; Captain Alexander Skinker; Lieutenant Colonel Delores Carl; First Sergeant Stephen Arnold; Chief Warrant Officer Sherman Neblet; Colonel Mark Randazzo; Chief Warrant Officer Wilbern Rowden; Colonel Elmer R. Parrish; Lieutenant Robert Darwin Elwell; and Command Sergeant Major Eldon Coy. For more information about the inductees, visit https://monghof.org.
The Board of the Missouri National Guard chose Kirksville to house the new Missouri National Guard Museum. For the first two years the exhibit will be inside the Adair County Historical Society Museum. The Board plans to eventually have its own museum.
The mission of the Hall of Fame is to commemorate and recognize individuals who have served in the Missouri National Guard or its predecessor, the “Missouri State Militia” and who have made a significant contribution to the National Guard achievements, tradition, or history.
