Community gathers to honor veterans at send-off event
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The community is coming together today to honor veterans at a send-off event hosted by VFW Post 3838 and The Wake Foundation.
The event, a show of gratitude and pride, allows attendees to thank veterans for their service and sacrifices.
The community is invited to attend and show their support.
50 local veterans, thier families and community members came together at Cape Regional Airport for a veterans send off. As these veterans will embark on a journey to Washington to see memorials and monuments of wars and experiences they have lived through.
Robert Wake Senior is the Director and spokesperson for the Wake Foundation., A non-profit organization that serves veterans through various programs. The VFW post 3838, in partnership with the wake foundation, hosted a veteran’s honor event for a group of local veterans as they left on a flight to Washington D.C. with their guardians.
“I just find it an honor and a privilege. I am a purple heart recipient from the Iraq war in 2004 and its my privilege to be here today” says Wake.
Community members took part in the event in support of the sendoff. The event was around 2 hours long and consisted of a flag presentation, pledge of allegiance sang by Clippard Elementary Students, state flag presentation, mail call, the national anthem, a farewell prayer and a final solute as veterans took flight.
David Robert Tuller is one of the 50 veterans to go to Washington.
He says he will never forget his experience in the Airforce.
“I served as a mechanic on a B-52 aerial refueler” says Tuller.
Tuller says there’s a special monument he wants to see on his trip..
“To see the tomb of the unknown soldier.”
The tomb of the unknown soldier is a monument dedicated to unidentified soldiers who lost their lives in combat.
Tuller saying he’s ready to make some memories with his veteran brothers and sisters.
“I’m going to have all the fun I can!” says Tuller.
