November 10, 2021
Hall-of-fame veteran
Around Town
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Features
Submitted photos St. Peters resident Velma Jesse received an escort from Central County Fire & Rescue personnel to her Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame Induction. The 101-year-old Jesse served in World War II as a Mess and Supply Sergeant at Camp and in 1945, Jesse and 11 friends started the country’s first all-women American Legion post.
101-year old St. Peters resident and WWII veteran recognized at state capital for starting the country’s first all-women American Legion post
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1
By Brett Auten
CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3
Velma Jesse’s trip to the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame had some added splash. The St. Peters resident was recognized at a ceremony at the Missouri State Capital on Oct. 29 and her chauffeurs for the day were firefighters and paramedics from Central County Fire & Rescue and Central County Community Outreach volunteers. The 101-year-old Jesse was honored along with five other Missouri veterans. In 1945, Jesse and 11 friends started the country’s first all-women American Legion post, St. Louis Service Women’s Post 404. In 1948, she joined her post in presenting Pres-
“We just did what needed to be done because it was the right thing to do. It was an honor to serve then, and it is an honor to be inducted into the second annual class of the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame.” ~ Velma Jesse ident Harry Truman with the ceremonial shovel for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gateway Arch National Park.
“I just thought all of her stories were really cool and she just kind of blows my mind. I couldn’t imagine,” CCFR Fire Captain David Maupin said. “What an incredible woman.” Maupin put in a request to use two Chevy Suburbans and Maupin, along with Jesse’s brother and other family members, caravanned to Jefferson City. “We wanted to make sure there was no stress getting there,” Maupin said. “Her and her family could just relax and enjoy the ride. We then sat in the crowd, cheered her on when they announced her name and gave her a little support.” See ‘VETERAN’ page 2
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