MissCo honors veterans

A large crowd gathered Wednesday morning at 11 for the Annual Veterans Day ceremony held in front of the Mississippi County Courthouse in Blytheville. The event honored all those that have served in the U.S. armed forces both past and present.

Mississippi County Veterans affairs officer, Jim Dixon, welcomed everyone to the annual event and gave a brief history of Veterans Day. Special speaker Rich Norris also explained the background and importance of honoring all those who serve their country. Tammy Swanson sang the "Star Spangled Banner," following the raising of the flag by the American Legion. The award for Veteran of the Year went to Master Sgt. Harry Thomas Kisman. Master Sgt. Kisman began serving in the Air Force in 1966.

"Master Sgt. Kisman lost his battle with cancer on May 30 of this year," Dixon said. "His wife will be accepting on his behalf today. Mr. Kisman was my Sunday school teacher. He was a friend and great person to know. He was put in for Veteran of the year and was selected. It is an honor to present this award to his family. It was also an honor to have him as my Sunday school teacher. You hear people say they are Christians but Tom lived it. He walked the walk and talked the talk. He cared about the airmen who served underneath him. He would make cookies, candy and get them gifts for the holidays and would even invite them to spend the holidays with him and his family."

Master Sgt. Kisman's wife Margaret said her husband served 24 and a half years in the Air Force. She said he did leave the Air Force for about two years but went back. The couple was stationed in Tennessee, in Little Rock where their son was born, in Washington, and Japan where their daughter was born. They were stationed oversees twice and many bases in the U.S. but they enjoyed traveling.

"My husband was an amazing man," Mrs. Kisman said. "He loved his God and his Country and he served them both well. He was dedicated to serving his country, to his family and to his faith. It is an honor to be able to accept this award on his behalf. If he were here he would say he didn't deserve the honor. He would also say he is humbled and grateful for it."

Master Sgt. Kisman's last assignment was the base in Blytheville, which is where he and his family decided to stay and make their home. State Representative David Burnett along with County Judge Carney presented Mrs. Kisman with his Veteran of the Year award.

"Veterans Day honors both the living and the dead who have served this country," Dixon said. "We have 3,800 veteran's in Mississippi County ad we want to honor them today."

The Blytheville Police Department Honor Guard performed the gun salute and played taps at the event. Kent Reed did the annual releasing of the doves.