Bust honors former governor Mel Carnahan; Jean Carnahan memorial set

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A bronze bust was dedicated to Mel Carnahan on Thursday in Carnahan Gardens at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion, two days ahead of his late widow's public memorial service.

A large group of people gathered to honor the former governor as part of the Mel Carnahan Public Service Awards held by the Carnahan Policy Institute.

The bust reads "I am still enough of an idealist to believe that public service is a calling worthy of our lives" a quote from Carnahan along with his name and the time that he served as governor from 1993 until he died in 2000.

The Democrat was killed in a plane crash along with two others on October 17, 2000.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday to honor former U.S. senator and Missouri first lady Jean Carnahan, who died in January. The doors to Sheldon Concert Hall open at 9:30 a.m. Gov. Mike Parson ordered flags on state buildings flown at half-staff Friday in her memory.

The dedication was followed by a ceremony for the Gov. Mel Carnahan Public Service Award.

The Carnahan Gardens at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion is open to the public.