February 18, 2019

Gov. Mike Parson took the stage Friday during a surprise visit to the VAlentines for Veterans concert to talk about the importance of service and sacrifice. The Army veteran left a hometown of 356 people at the age of 19 to join the armed forces, without understanding the true meaning of the uniform he would wear or the pledge of allegiance he had said every morning at school...

Donna Farley Associate Editor
Missouri Gov. Michael L. Parson tells a concert crowd Friday at the Black River Coliseum of his experiences in the military with Robert Wake of the Wake Foundation.
Missouri Gov. Michael L. Parson tells a concert crowd Friday at the Black River Coliseum of his experiences in the military with Robert Wake of the Wake Foundation. DAR/Jonathan Martin

Gov. Mike Parson took the stage Friday during a surprise visit to the VAlentines for Veterans concert to talk about the importance of service and sacrifice.

The Army veteran left a hometown of 356 people at the age of 19 to join the armed forces, without understanding the true meaning of the uniform he would wear or the pledge of allegiance he had said every morning at school.

It was a sobering realization, Parson told the audience at the Black River Coliseum. Hundreds showed up for performance by country music artists Rodney Atkins and Tiera despite the threat of winter weather.

Audience members who braved possible ice Friday evening stand at the Black River Coliseum as Rodney Atkins performs during the VAlentines for Veterans concert.
Audience members who braved possible ice Friday evening stand at the Black River Coliseum as Rodney Atkins performs during the VAlentines for Veterans concert. DAR/Donna Farley

“What it really meant to me, was not so much about me, not so much about the veterans that are here tonight, but what it really meant to me was all the people that wore it before me, and all the people that served our country and made sacrifices …,” Parson said. “Some made the ultimate sacrifice for people you’ll never see. People you’ll never know.”

Individuals serve because they believe in the United States, in its system and in freedom, he continued.

“You believe in who we are as individuals. I tell you tonight as governor of the sate of Missouri, the only reason I’m here tonight, and the only reasons you’re here tonight, is because of what people have done before me and you,” Parson said.

Performer Tiera poses for photographs with fans Friday at the Black River Coliseum after performing in the annual concert hosted by John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and the Wake Foundation.
Performer Tiera poses for photographs with fans Friday at the Black River Coliseum after performing in the annual concert hosted by John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and the Wake Foundation. DAR/Donna Farley

The American dream is being lived in Poplar Bluff, he said.

“I also tell you it’s our time. It is our time to pass the American dream to the next generations, that they understand what love of country really means. What sacrifices really means to each one of us as individuals,” he said. “That’s what we have to pass down, every one of us here tonight, for our sacrifices and the men and women that sacrificed before me and you.”

Parson also recognized Robert Wake of the Wake Foundation, which is the primary sponsor of the concert. Wake works with the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, which hosts the event.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be on a stage with a fellow veteran that sacrificed everything for the people of this state and I’m proud to be standing up here,” Parson said. “I thank him for what he has done for this event and what he continues to do for this event.”

The Wake Foundation was started when Wake returned home to the area after being wounded in Iraq in 2004. After spending 13 months in the hospital, Wake became an advocate for the needs of veterans and soldiers.

“All soldiers who have returned from war have been affected by the stress of combat; some have been wounded physically, mentally and some have PTSD,” according to Wake, who hopes to educate communities and provide positive activities for veterans.

The following local members of the armed forces who lost their lives while serving were honored during the event, along with their families. Information was provided by John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.

• Air Force veteran Maj. James Hardin Metz, of Poplar Bluff

• Army Capt. Alan Brown and family members, Danny Brown of West Plains, Mo., Jimmy Lunyou, Julie Brown and Dennis Keith of Dexter

• Army Pvt. Billie Gene Kanell and family members Wanda Burkett, Fay Powell and Betty Pruitt, all of Poplar Bluff

• Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Eric W. Summers and family members, Andrea Summers of Holts Summit, Mo., Alexia Summers of Holts Summit, Mo., Melodie, Wayne and Daren Summers of Poplar Bluff

• Service member Charles Stepp and family, Nina Joplin and Nita Tubb, both of Poplar Bluff

• Service member Harold Ray Harris

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