Vigil, office closings mark Veterans Day

A vigil honoring Boone County veterans began this morning on the Boone County Courthouse grounds and will continue through tomorrow morning in observance of Veterans Day.

The vigil, featuring members of the University of Missouri’s ROTC programs, will conclude tomorrow at 11:11 a.m. in front of the Boone County war memorials. Volunteer cadets and midshipmen from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force ROTC programs at MU will form two-person details for the vigil.

The Veterans Day parade will begin at 10:40 a.m. tomorrow, starting at the MU Columns and traveling along Eighth Street to the courthouse. At 11 a.m. there will be a ceremony at the courthouse featuring guest speaker Lt. Col. Ronald Tucker, an MU graduate.

There will also be a ceremonial signing at the courthouse of a U.S. Army Community Covenant, which signifies a commitment of support for Army soldiers and families. Those scheduled to attend the 10:30 a.m. signing include Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, state Treasurer Clint Zweifel and U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer.

Also in observance of Veterans Day, the courthouse and the Boone County Government Center will be closed tomorrow.

Post office facilities will be closed, as will the Columbia Housing Authority’s office. Columbia city offices will be open.