The grave of Curtis Baker in Annunciation Catholic Cemetery was selected to represent those honored on Memorial Day for the 2013 Memorial Day Service. In addition to family members, participants included members of the California Veterans of Foreign War Post 4345, California Masonic Lodge 183, VFW Auxiliary 4345 and Prince of Peace Commandry 29 of Knights Templar, Jefferson City. The Centertown American Legion Post 531 and VFW Post 35, St. Martins, were represented.
Baker, who was born Feb. 18, 1918, in Moniteau County, and died at age 95 on Feb. 23, of this year.
A 1937 California High School graduate, Baker served in the United States Army in World War II as Infantry Machine Gunner with E Company, 186th Regiment, 41st Division.
Members of VFW Post 4345 and the Ladies Auxiliary placed wreaths and other decorations on Baker's grave, which represented the resting place of many other veterans, then saluted as "Taps" was played.
In addition, four Quilts of Valor were presented to honor veterans. Recipients were World War II veterans Cletus Kueffer, John Lehman and Bud Carel, and Vietnam veteran and Jim Hamilton.
The quilters group, which has joined in the efforts of the Quilts of Valor Foundation in its mission to honor veterans, meets on Tuesdays in the upstairs of Wood Place Public Library.
Following the ceremony at Annunciation Cemetery, members of Prince of Peace Commandry of Knights Templar, Jefferson City, and the California Masonic Lodge met at the Masonic Cemetery for a short service.