Events in Jefferson City highlight holiday's purpose

One main event and two concerts in Jefferson City highlight the focus of Monday's Memorial Day holiday - to remember those who have served and died.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Henry Stratman is the featured speaker for the annual Memorial Day Service at the National Cemetery, on East Miller Street, west of Clark Avenue.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m.

Stratman is a Vienna, Missouri, native and a 1973 Distinguished Military Graduate of Lincoln University's ROTC program.

He served 33 years before retiring, including overseas assignments in Germany, Korea, Bosnia, Turkey and numerous Middle Eastern countries.

He also is a graduate of the Army's Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.

Stratman boasts a number of combat duty assignments:

• Chief of Staff for Political, Military, and Economic Integration, Multi-National Forces-Iraq in Baghdad.

• Deputy Commanding General, Support for the Third United States Army & Coalition Forces, Land Component Command in Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom.

• Chief of Staff, Operations for the Multi-National Stabilization Forces (SFOR) in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

• Chief Joint Military Commissions, 1st Armored Division during initial entry peace enforcement operations in Bosnia.

• Commander, 2-29 Field Artillery Battalion during the first Gulf War/Operations Desert Storm.

Stratman also was stationed in Europe during the Iron Curtain/Cold War Era, supporting NATO's nuclear deterrence of the Soviet Union. His artillery battalion was training within the 5 Kilometer Zone of East Germany in 1989, when the Soviet Union collapsed and the Berlin Wall fell.

Stratman and his wife, Linda, now live on a small farm in southern Callaway County.

They also are the key leaders behind the restoration of Warwick Village into what now is known as "The Village Square," with luxury apartments, and several retail and artisan shops.

Monday's program ends with the Two-Bell Ceremony honoring veterans who have died since Memorial Day 2013.

That ceremony opens and ends with two strikes to the bell, which also rings once as each name is called. Family and friends of that veteran place a poppy in the memorial wreath to honor the dead.

Following the service, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1003, and it Auxiliary, host a luncheon for veterans and guests at the post home, 217 E. Capitol Ave.

At 1 p.m., the Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band presents its annual Memorial Day concert at First Christian Church, 327 E. Capitol Ave.

The program is presented to honor the military veterans, current military personnel, veteran and active police and fire department employees and families of those who work to provide for the safety and freedoms we have.

Kailey Campbell, a 2014 Jefferson City High School graduate and the first JC Community Symphonic Band scholarship recipient, will perform an oboe solo.

The concert - performed in two parts - also will include performances of the "Vaquero March," "Three Ayres from Gloucester," "Tribute" (a composition honoring public servants), "The Blue and the Gray," "The Diplomat March," "1st Suite in E-flat for Military Bands," "The Armed Forces Salute," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and "Stars and Stripes Forever."

The concert is presented to honor military veterans, current military personnel, veteran and active police and fire department employees and families of those who work to provide for the safety and freedoms we have.

Admission is free.

At 3 p.m., the Monticello Men's Chorus presents it annual Memorial Day Concert in the Capitol Rotunda, featuring national folk and patriotic music.

Among the featured pieces Monday afternoon will be "God Bless America," "The Navy Hymn," and a version of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

The "Battle Hymn" will feature Mark Rehagen, portraying President Abraham Lincoln and delivering excerpts from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Admission is free.