Du Quoin State Fair ceremony honors veterans, Gold Star families

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

DU QUOIN, Ill. (KBSI) — More than 550 people gathered at the Du Quoin State Fair on Sunday for an emotional ceremony honoring veterans, Gold Star families and every branch of the U.S. military.

The ceremony used dog tags, helmets, boots and other pieces connected to military service to recognize the experiences and sacrifices of those who served.

“The ceremony is to recognize our veterans and our Gold Stars,” Du Quoin State Fair Committee member Gay Eisenhauer said. “We want to pay tribute to them. We want to show them honor and respect.”

Eisenhauer said the ceremony gives veterans another opportunity beyond Veterans Day in November to receive recognition for their service and sacrifice.

The annual tradition has grown significantly during its roughly 15-year history.

“We started out with about 50 people in a tent, and we have grown to over 550 people here in the Exhibition Hall,” Eisenhauer said.

The ceremony drew an emotional response from veterans, their families and others in attendance.

“It’s humbling because knowing that they feel so touched and so moved by this, then we as a committee have done our job because we have honored,” Eisenhauer said.

Anthony Vaughn, a veteran and assistant director for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, said events like the ceremony ensure veterans from every era are remembered.

“Ceremonies like this are very important,” Vaughn said. “We as a nation need to make sure that we keep remembering and honoring our veterans of all eras.”

Vaughn said the gathering also gives veterans an opportunity to reconnect and discuss their experiences with people who understand them.

“It allows veterans to come together, to see each other, to talk to each other, to share war stories — and when I say war stories, I mean stories of their service — and just to be together,” Vaughn said.

The day also gave veterans and their families an opportunity to learn about benefits, employment assistance and other available resources.

Jonathan Horsley, state veterans program manager for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, helps veterans and other eligible groups find meaningful employment. He drove several hours to attend the ceremony for the first time and said he encountered about a dozen people he knew.

“It’s a good reconnection point and a great place to be able to find resources and expand your knowledge of how veterans can be supported, along with their families,” Horsley said.

Horsley said the ceremony brought together veterans across generations.

“Lots of veterans from all ages,” Horsley said. “It’s just a great opportunity for veterans to get together, shake hands, hug. There’s going to be tears, but it’s a great event.”

Vaughn said seeing hundreds of veterans attend shows they value the recognition and the work state agencies and fair organizers put into the event.

“They’re here because they appreciate the state doing something like this for them,” Vaughn said. “The state fair, the Department of Agriculture and Veterans’ Affairs coming together to make sure that they are remembered.”

For Eisenhauer, the ceremony’s emotional impact is a sign that its purpose remains clear after 15 years.

“Just knowing that the veterans feel welcome, that they were honored — that was our goal,” Eisenhauer said.