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The eighteenth annual Veterans Appreciation and Outreach picnic was held on ASU Campus on October 7th sponsored by Disabled American Veterans [DAV] with support of VFW, American Legion and Fleet Reserve Association.
The ceremony commenced at 11 a.m. with the Patriot Guard Walk of Flags through which the Boy Scouts advanced and posted colors. The National Anthem was performed by Leeann Jackson followed by a prayer offered by the Flyers youth wrestling team. Kattie Laney Project provided the outstanding music and entertainment.
DAV Commander Dan Hall introduced honored guests: Dr Marjory Scott Director of Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System who brought several mobile units and departments to provide services to local Veterans including claims assistance, chaplain services, flu shots and COVID vaccines as well as VA ID cards and suicide prevention services.
Additional Honorees included: ASU Chancellor Bentley Wallace, Current Secretary of Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs Major General Kendall Penn, Former Secretary Col Nate Todd, DAV National Vice-Commander John Donovan and ADVA Director Gina Chandler.
Food to feed up to 700 was provided by Allen’s Grocery of Summit, cooked by volunteers from Baxter Health and DAV, all served by volunteers from Mountain Home Jr ROTC Cadets and volunteers from Good Samaritan Society. Drinks were donated by Coca Cola of West Plains.
More than twenty five local businesses and organizations donated time, money and in kind contributions to make this annual event a growing success and local businesses who offer Veterans services were there in force including the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, District Veterans Service Officer and County Veteran Service Officers.
All of these services available to Veterans using the Community College campus venue – many thanks to ASU Chancellor and his maintenance team.
