August 05, 2011

Tribute to Honor Veterans at the Missouri State Fair

Official ceremony held Aug. 14 in Sedalia

On Aug. 14, Missouri veterans, Gov. Jay Nixon, Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler and military leaders will join for a special tribute to our armed services at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. The 2011 Military Appreciation Day - A "Show Me" Salute to Veterans will pay tribute to men and women in uniform, with a special focus on Vietnam veterans.

"Missouri has a great tradition of supporting those who serve and Military Appreciation Day is a way of giving something back," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "With two first class military bases and a National Guard that is second to none, Missouri stands out in service to our country."

Admission to the fairgrounds Sun., Aug. 14 is free for veterans, active-duty service personnel and delayed-entry recruits with appropriate identification. Admission for their immediate family members is only $1 that day.

The official ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the Mathewson Exhibition Center, which is air-conditioned, on the state fairgrounds in Sedalia and will be led by master of ceremonies and long-time mid-Missouri resident Capt. Mike Roberts of the Missouri National Guard. The event is free and open to the public and all fair attendees are invited to join in the recognition and celebration of Missouri's military.

The tribute will include recognition of and remarks from Missouri's veterans and current military leaders. Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner of the Missouri National Guard, Gen. Scott Vander Hamm from Whiteman Air Force Base, Colonel Donald E. Ballard, Medal of Honor recipient and Maj. Gen. David Quantock, commanding general of Ft. Leonard Wood, will participate in the day's ceremony. Vietnam veteran Gregg Davis of Cole Camp, Mo. will also participate and Rear Adm. J. Stanton Thompson, formerly of Slater, Mo., will present closing remarks.

The Patriot Guard Riders will kick off the event in the Exhibition Center. They will be followed by recognition of veterans and current servicemen and women. The Missouri National Guard Band, based in Springfield, Mo., will also join the group at the Fair and will play during the tribute.

In addition to discounted admission and the official ceremony, the 2011 Military Appreciation Day will include having the America's Navy Simulator on the fairgrounds. The simulator features live-action Navy films, allowing visitors to see and feel mission situations in a virtual environment.

Servicemen and women from Fort Leonard Wood and the St. Louis Navy Recruiting Command Cardinal Company, and their families, are expected to attend the ceremony and visit the fairgrounds.

For more information about the day's festivities, visit www.MoStateFair.com.