Honoring Sacrifice

Updated: Tue 9:49 AM, Nov 12, 2002

Citizens and school children gathered at courthouses in DeKalb and Quitman for a Veterans Day ceremony, organized by the local VFW posts.

Among the veterans attending the DeKalb service was Navy veteran Parker Stokes, who was present at the signing of the World War II Peace Treaty.

"We were the escort ship for the Missouri and we were sitting some 200 yards from the Missouri when MacArthur and Hirohito and all of them came on for the signing if the truce before the war was over," said Stokes. "And then we left from there and came home.

Kemper County also unveiled a new sign, renaming a main thoroughfare in front of the courthouse as Veterans Street.

American flags lined the streets of downtown Quitman Monday for the observance.

Shots Fired at Western Gardens