Adair County spent a long weekend celebrating Veterans Day.
Last Friday, a new American flag was unveiled at the high school during a dedication ceremony sponsored by the ROTC Cadet Corps. VFW Post 6097 in Columbia helped purchase the flag.
The Cadet Corps also sponsored a recognition ceremony for veterans in the library where breakfast foods and coffee were served and veterans had the chance to interact with Adair County’s students.
“America’s freedom bank account is heavy with blank checks signed by millions of veterans. Freedom is not free. It wasn’t in 1775 and it isn’t today,” said Russell Lunsford, Commander of the VFW Post in Columbia.
Then, on Monday, Lindsey Wilson College held their 22nd annual Veterans Day Luncheon. Hosted at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Columbia, the college’s Roberta Cranmer Dining Center catered the event. Students and faculty from Lindsey were also present to participate. Student Government Association President, Zachariah Lawson, gave the invocation after Dean of Students, Chris Schmidt, welcomed everyone to the 2024 luncheon.
In his welcome speech, Schmidt thanked veterans for serving, as well as the spouses and families who support them, saying, “First and foremost, today is always about our veterans. But we all know that there are many, many others that we need to recognize. First, and probably most importantly, the spouses and the family members of our veterans who are with us today and also the memory of those who are no longer with us.”
During the luncheon, Kathy Jones with the Joyful Hearts Quilt Guild gave away handmade quilts to 17 veterans who were in attendance.
“The Quilt Guild has done an amazing job year in and year out making the most amazing, just absolutely beautiful quilts,” Dr. Schmidt said.
During the drawing to give away the quilts, Jones implored the winners not to keep them in a plastic bag in the closet, but to use the quilts. Several of the winners watched the other veterans receive theirs with them wrapped around their shoulders.
More than 200 people showed up to the luncheon, the most Lunsford says they have ever had in attendance.
“Lindsey always does a really good job,” he said.
The Veterans Appreciation Luncheon concluded with a piano solo from LWC art freshman Lucy LU from Tokyo, Japan, as well a performance by Lindsey Wilson’s choral ensembles under the direction of LWC Associate Professor of Music & Director of Choral Programs Gerald Chafin.
These were only two of the many Veterans Day celebrations in the county. Churches, businesses, and countless individuals took time to remember those who served.
By Kenley Godby
kenley@adairvoice.com
