Memorial Day Ceremony Set for May 25 at Veterans Tribute Park

During the Vietnam War, St. Charles County resident Sheldon Hartsfield was part of an elite team that helicoptered into combat zones to rescue people in trouble. 

They called it “extractions.” He went places where it was “hot” and the bullets were flying.

“One time there was a Navy Admiral in a combat area who needed to get out fast, so we geared up, got on the helicopters and flew in,” Hartsfield recalls. 

Hartsfield, whose family military service includes the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen, is scheduled to tell his story at this year’s St. Charles County Memorial Day ceremony, set for Monday, May 25 at 1 p.m. at Veterans Tribute Park, 1031 Kisker Road in Weldon Spring. 

The family-friendly annual event is free and open to the public. Each year, crowds bring their own lawn chairs or quilts to watch from the lawn surrounding the stage area. 

Live patriotic music will be performed by Tom Pini and the Guitar Heroes band. There will also be a solemn military reading of the roll call of departed veterans, local service members who died on duty, their names etched in the Veterans Tribute wall of honor. 

Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, who was one of 13 U.S. service members killed in August 2021 during the evacuation of Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, will participate in the laying of the wreath.

Retired U.S. Airforce Captain Larry Ruebling will sing the national anthem. Former St. Charles City Council member Michael Flandermeyer is scheduled to play Taps. Boy Scout Jaxon Lindsey, 11, from Troop 873 in Dardenne Prairie will say the Pledge of Allegiance. 

A gun salute and presenting of colors will be rendered by members of the American Legion Post 312. 

County Executive Steve Ehlmann will speak. St. Charles County Council Chair Mike Elam will serve as Master of Ceremonies. 

In case of rain the event will be held in an adjacent covered pavilion. 

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