WWII Vet to Lead Wentzville Fourth of July Parade

(The following press released was issued by the .)

Dr. Lester Schmucker, World War II veteran and longtime resident of Wentzville, will serve as Grand Marshal for Wentzville’s upcoming Independence Day Parade, which will feature the theme Hats off to Our Heroes.

The parade’s theme is designed to honor and salute our country’s past and present heroes and the sacrifices they made to purchase the liberties we enjoy.

Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione said he thought this year’s parade theme made Schmucker an excellent choice to serve as Grand Marshal. “Dr. Schmucker served our country in the military during World War II, then followed that with nearly six decades of service to Wentzville. We owe him and so many others of his generation a great debt of gratitude,” said Guccione. 

In addition to his military service during World War II, Schmucker has been an active member of American Legion Post 323 in Wentzville for the past 63 years. Schmucker’s duties with Post 323 include acting as Service Officer, Post Commander, and his current position as Chaplain.

Schmucker built his home in Wentzville in 1955 and served the Wentzville area for 36 years as a Doctor of Chiropractic, until his retirement in 1991. Schmucker served on Wentzville’s Board of Aldermen from 1959 to 1961. He also served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission and held the position of President of Wentzville’s first Board of Adjustment.

Schmucker still lives in Wentzville and is a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he has served on various committees and was the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

This year’s Independence Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Wed., July 4. The parade begins on East Pearce Boulevard and will then travel west along Pearce, terminating at Holt High School.