Looking Back: Memorial Day - it’s on the calendar

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society 
 
 
The Historical Society calendar page for May features the World War II Memorial Honor Roll. During my childhood and throughout most of my teen years, the Honor Roll was in a predominate location in Grain Valley. It stood on Main Street between Mrs. Savage’s little house and the Christian Church. If you came to Downtown Grain Valley, you could not miss it.

In August and September of 2020, three articles appeared in this column about the Honor Roll. At that time I mentioned the two women on the roll, sisters Loubell and Dorothy Becker, both army nurses. I also talked about brothers, brothers-in-law, and other relatives on the Honor Rolls. And finally, I gathered information about the six stars on the board representing Grain Valley “boys killed in action.” Which asked the question, why did we call them boys, when they so obviously were men? The answer is also obvious, they were all very young, really just boys!

I do not believe we can see this photograph too often and that is why it is in this year’s calendar. Although all of these young men, and women, are no longer living, putting the photograph in the 2023 calendar is yet another way to thank them for their service.

And now, if I may editorialize here –why don’t we have an Honor Roll in Grain Valley today? I think it would be a great way to recognize the young women and men of our community who are currently serving in our armed forces.
 
If you would like to read more about the names on this Honor Roll, visit the Grain Valley Historical Society and we’ll share our information with you. We would love to talk with you about a future Honor Roll in Downtown Grain Valley! Maybe this could be a NHS or Eagle Scout project! Visit the Historical on Wednesdays from 10 AM-3 PM.
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