Pershing Days

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 02:32:04 GMT — Once again the tiny town of Laclede, Mo. gathered together to celebrate the birthday of its most famous resident.

General John J. Pershing was the only person to hold the highest rank in the United States Army in his own lifetime and this weekend marked the 50th anniversary of his birth.

The town celebrates Pershing Days every year with a parade and a festival in the town. It TMs a great place to see old cars and tractors and listen to a marching band, or just to see old friends and try some good food.

But this year the festival fell on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks. That means this year is just as much about celebrating America TMs veterans and active troops as much as the famous general.

Major Christopher Chapman was a visitor at today TMs festivities, along with some other troops from Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

September 11th gives us time to reflect on what happened back in 2001 but also what it TMs done to the army-changed where we TMre fighting and how we fight, said Major Chapman.

At the historic boyhood home of the general, it was a special day for one other person in particular. 97-year-old Leela duke, formerly Leela Pershing, is a relative of the famous general.

She came all the way from Iowa to see the boyhood home of her distant cousin. Although she never met the general, she said it TMs good to see her family TMs history firsthand.

You feel like you might belong to something. You know there TMs a relative, somebody that TMs really done something, she said.

Click here for more information on Pershing Days. For more on General Pershing click here.