ST. LOUIS COUNTY — People from all over the St. Louis region paid tribute to fallen service members for Memorial Day. For one veteran, one of today's ceremonies hit closer to home.
Just a few steps away from a flag event at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, veterans held another ceremony in Sylvan Springs Park in South County. A small crowd gathered to honor fallen Korean War soldiers. For one American hero, it meant honoring his father who died as a prisoner of war.
For several decades, Robert Whaley has made it a tradition to honor American troops killed serving our country.
"The friends you make during the time you're in the service and the men you serve with and work with become your closest friends," Whaley said. "The ones you lost stay with you for the rest of your life."
Military service runs in Whaley's family. He joined the army as a young man fresh out of college, saying he wanted to follow in his dad's foot steps, who served in the Korean War and died as a prisoner of war.
"I've got a lot of pictures of him. I was only eight years old when he died, Whaley said.
Whaley is a Vietnam war veteran and a three-time recipient of the purple heart. During his time in service, he almost lost his life. He says he was shot in the back of the head, but survived the incident.
”I was shot in the head and luckily it just took a chip out the back of my skull and knocked my out,” Whaley said.
Whaley attended a unique ceremony Sunday night in South County where he helped to read the names of the nearly 37,000 Americans killed in the war, including his own father. He felt it was an obligation to keep their memories alive.
"I was certainly excited to have the chance to do this," Whaley said.
Whaley rung a bell for every veteran killed in action to memorialize their name.
“It kind of sends out a sound that you supposed to signify that man," Whaley said.
It's a small yet impactful moment to remember his fallen father and the other lives lost in the war. He says the reading and bell bring those heroes back to life, if only just for a moment, as their name resonates down the hill.
Whaley's dad's remains have never been found in Korea. He hopes to someday bring his dad home. In the meantime, Whaley says he will keep honoring the fallen soldiers.
The ceremony will continue until all of the names are read, which is expected to last until sunrise on Memorial Day.
