Palmyra Chamber announces Flag Day observance plans

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The Palmyra Chamber of Commerce Flag Day Parade will be Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m.  

Nancy Goellner, parade organizer said she is looking for entries for the parade, noting “we would love for you to be a part of it.”  

There is no entry fee and no need to pre-register for the parade. Bring your entry to the Palmyra High School South parking lot anytime between 8 and 9:45 a.m.  

Lineup will begin at 9:45 a.m., so the parade can begin promptly at 10 a.m.  

The parade will proceed north on Main Street to the Marion County Courthouse.  

Gary Stowe has been selected to serve as grand marshal of this year’s parade.

Stowe is well known in the Palmyra community due to his involvement in local civic organizations.

Gary is an active member of the American Legion, having served in the United States navy for four years, from 1962-1969, when he was stationed in Scotland and Rota, Spain as a missile technician, 3rd Class on a submarine tender. 

He still continues his service as the treasurer of the USS Holland Association for crew members. He and his wife, Ruth, regularly attend the annual reunions.

As part of the Legion, he serves as first vice commander where membership and retention are the primary concern of his position. 

His position includes many other duties, and he is called upon to conduct meetings at times during the year in the absence of the commander. 

Stowe has volunteered to lead numerous parades with the Legion. He also has the honor of playing Taps during many military funerals.

He has been married to Ruth for 32 years. He is the stepfather to Ruth’s son, Wesley, and step-grandfather to Ruth’s granddaughter, Alexis.

Stowe retired from American Cyanamid in June of 1999 after 26 1/2 years as an analytical chemist.

He has been a member of Palmyra First Christian Church since 1972, where he serves as trustee, elder and chairman of the church board. 

He has given many hours to serve his church through fundraising, cooking, home visits, overseeing the property, being a member of the Pastoral Committee, making sure the 100 plus year-old organ is maintained properly, and making sure the elevator follows state regulations (which lately has not been an easy task due to new rules). 

Stowe’s mission in life seems to be his dedication to the Palmyra Kiwanis and Key Club. He joined the club in 1999 and served as secretary for many years.  

For more years than anyone can count Stowe has served up food at the Kiwanis food stand during the Marion County Fair. He loves helping prepare pancakes at the Kiwanis Daddy/Daughter Dance. 

He serves on the scholarship committee for Kiwanis, as well as making numerous trips to Key Club National Convention as chaperone for high school students from Palmyra, and could tell entertaining stories about those adventures. 

Another highlight is that he gets to take part in delivering dictionaries to local grade school students.     

The Palmyra Area Food Pantry is very blessed to have Stowe as a volunteer. He makes copies and organizes the necessary forms to make the sign-in process go smoothly. He is the friendly face that greets people when they come in the door.

For many years Stowe has volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Palmyra,-driving to Monroe City to pick up meals and get them back to Palmyra so that residents can get their lunch in a timely manner.

He is an active member of the Jackson Park Golf Course, and facilitates the Senior Golf League. He also serves on the Scholarship Committee.   

Stowe serves on the scholarship committee for the North River Old Iron Club. He has participated in many Honor Flight fundraisers through the club.  

Much fun is had at the Marion County Fair where Stowe is a regular announcer for the club’s antique tractor pull.

He is most loyal to all his volunteer responsibilities; his wife often refers to herself as a volunteer widow.     

Immediately following the parade there will be a special flag raising and Boy Scout presentation on the courthouse lawn.  

Invite your family, friends and other businesses to participate also.

If you have any questions call Nancy Goellner at 573-470-0861 or 573-769-5555.