Butler County answers the call

In case you didn’t know, there is a museum here in Poplar Bluff. It has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.
Poplar Bluffians have a proud history of serving their country.
When America calls, Poplar Bluff answers “Here we are, send us.” We have served in every war, every campaign, every branch of the military.
Poplar Bluff wore blue and gray during the War between the States. We were in Cuba during the Spanish American War. The Missouri National Guard formed a unit in Poplar Bluff and they deployed to France during World War I. There were 35 men from the Bluff that didn’t return.
During World War II, Poplar Bluff was there. We fought in the Pacific and in Europe. Our grandfathers flew fighters and bombers, sailed on battleships, aircraft carriers and submarines. They served with MacArthur and Patton. They were infantrymen, paratroopers, tankers, sailors and marines. Some even spent time in Japanese and German prison camps. We were in Tokyo Bay on VJ Day and saw the end of the war. And 120 of our neighbors paid the ultimate price for victory.
Poplar Bluff went to Korea when called. We lost 15 brothers including Billie Kanell, who was awarded the Medal of Honor. We went to Vietnam, leaving 25 names on the “Wall”. Poplar Bluff sent her hometown National Guard unit to Desert Storm and when the War on Terror began, we volunteered again. We are still serving our country around the world as Green Berets, Rangers, Marines, pilots and sailors, setting a standard of excellence and patriotism. Here we are, send us!
Poplar Bluff is called a “Purple Heart City” for a reason. It was earned.
When you see that elderly man at Walmart, give him respect. He might be a veteran who saved the world.
In Kanell Hall Veterans Museum we tell the story of our Poplar Bluff veterans.
We have their photos, medals, patches, personal stories, and other momentous from their service.
We even have captured enemy artifacts from both World Wars, the Cold War and the War on Terror.
Kanell Hall is located in the Poplar Bluff Museum. The museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!
Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.