Etsyl Sparkman volunteered for the armed forces during World War II.

Sixty-three years after World War II ended, Etsyl now has a brick in his honor at the Stella Veterans Memorial.

“My son, Lyle, told me about this,” Etsyl said. “Now, along with my brick, there are six other bricks and two on the way commemorating my family’s veteran history.”

Both Sparkmans were on hand Saturday in Stella as hundreds of spectators and veterans officially dedicated the Stella Veterans Memorial, located on land donated by the Stella Senior Citizens Center. The other bricks in the Sparkman family include Seth Sparkman, Claud Johnson, Denzel Woodrow, E.P. Rothrock and Dan Choate.

The family has ancestry dating back to the American Revolutionary War.

“We did not miss a war,” said Etsyl. “Our outfit flew P-38s in World War II.”

The memorial

The star has five sidewalks lined with the bricks and one going east across a simulated stream lined with gravel.

 “Every time we have a war, we go across the water and every time we come back, we come back across the water or this could be a bridge from military life to civilian life,” said Chuck Dalbom, chairman of veterans committee. “This could be a bridge from life to death, even.”

Etsyl noted that the memorial means a lot to him and hopes that it will be ongoing.

“I think that it will be an inspiration to other communities,” Etsyl said. “You don’t have to be a Kansas City to have a memorial.”

Dubbed the Stellabration, an arts and craft fair, food, bingo, dance and parade also highlighted the day-long event. Shortly after the parade, the formal dedication occurred. Keynote speaker at the ceremony was Ret. Rear Admiral Jack Buffington.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to be here today to say thanks to you for your support of our military,” Buffington said in his opening remarks. “Patriotism is never stronger than in towns all over America like Stella, Mo. It is what sets America apart from all the other countries around the world. I have had the good fortune of working in more than 20 foreign countries and traveling in 40 or 50 more. No where does the military receive more respect and support than right here in towns like Stella.”

Buffington, who lived most of his life in Westville, Okla., completed a 34-year career in the Navy and held such key national commands as head of the Navy Seabees, commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and chief of the Civil Engineer Corps. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with Gold Star, Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars, the Navy Achievement Medal and Vietnamese Medal of Merit. Currently, he works at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.

“Everyone of you here have had loved ones or friends in the military,” Buffington said. “Many of you here, probably most of you, have served in one of the branches of our armed forces. Sure, I served in Vietnam and a few other unpopular places. Rarely does the person serving in the armed forces receive the recognition they deserve. Many times in our major cities, it is negative recognition. I have never received anything but praise for the job we are doing when visiting rural or small communities across America. It seems folks out in these parts understand what it important and what isn’t”

In his concluding remarks, he said he was honored about sharing in Saturday’s event.

“I am especially proud of the job our military are doing around the globe, but today I am honored to be sharing this day with the fine folks of Stella, Mo.,” said Buffington. “What you have done here is a tribute to all current and former military. You people make me proud to be an American. God bless you all.”

Bricks are still being sold for $35 for veterans and for family and businesses to sponsor is $100 or more. Bricks can be engraved with the name of anyone who has served in the U.S. armed forced.

“This is a work in progress,” Dalbom said.