Memorial Day From a Local Veteran’s Viewpoint

Mark Salter is a veteran of 5 deployments to the Middle East while serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. Salter was born and raised in Hannibal, the son of Bob and Shirley Salter. He enlisted in the Air Force right after high school. He served active duty from 1990 to 1998. He joined the Air National Guard in 2004, giving his country a total of 23 years of military service to date.

The Senior Master Sergeant was deployed twice to Saudi Arabia (1992 and 1995),in 2009 he went to Iraq and Afghanistan, Kuwait in 2013, and Qatar in 2017. Salter says one of the most dangerous situations he encountered was during his time in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where rocket and mortar attacks occurred every day. One day a rocket landed only 60 feet away from his tent, but thankfully didn’t go off.

Salter says it was a special honor, as a member of the National Guard, to go to Hawaii to see the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. He also saw the USS Missouri, which was the ship on which Japan formally surrendered to the U.S.

Regarding Memorial Day, Salter says it should be a remembrance of those brave men and women who gave their lives for our country, from the Revolutionary War to present conflicts. But it’s always good to honor those who have served or are currently serving.

Two Memorial Day observances will be held in Hannibal Monday:
Grand View Funeral Home, Highway 61 South will hold its Memorial Day remembrance beginning at 8:30 a.m. Special speaker will be State Representative Jim Hansen. Music provided by Uptown Strings.

The public is also invited to the Memorial Day Ceremony at American Legion Post 55 in Hannibal. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. American Legion Post 55 is located at 3819 Highway MM in Hannibal.