January 11, 2022

The annual Valentines for Veterans concert returns to the Black River Coliseum 5 p.m., Feb. 11, after a hiatus due to COVID-19. The event will be a little different this year, hosted solely by the Wake Foundation. It is not done in connection with the Veteran’s Administration, as it was in previous years...

Samantha Tucker

The annual Valentines for Veterans concert returns to the Black River Coliseum 5 p.m., Feb. 11, after a hiatus due to COVID-19.

The event will be a little different this year, hosted solely by the Wake Foundation. It is not done in connection with the Veteran’s Administration, as it was in previous years.

This year’s band is country group Diamond Rio, preceded by a mystery opening act. Special guests are Pro Football Hall of Fame player Jackie Smith and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee Mark Littell, both of whom will sign autographs. Wake Foundation CEO Robert Wake also hopes circumstances will allow Gov. Mike Parson to make an appearance.

Despite the star-studded guest list, Vietnam veterans will be the real guests of honor.

“It’ll be a special year because we’re honoring our Vietnam veterans, and that era,” said Wake.

Veterans and their families can see a Vietnam War exhibit and veterans of the conflict will receive a challenge coin.

The Wake Foundation is implementing precautions to help ensure attendees stay safe at the event.

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“One of the things that we are going to do is check every person’s temperature that comes in that building, to make sure that people are not coming in sick, and do what we can to cover that end of it. And then people, under their own discretion, will be allowed to wear a mask,” said Wake.

The temperature checks are a visible difference between this and previous concerts, but also unusual is that the Wake Foundation is presenting the event on its own. In the past, the foundation partnered with the VA, but federal restrictions on VA activities prevented them from supporting the concert.

“So we’re having to carry this whole load ourselves,” Wake said. “And it’s a pretty expensive concert.”

Wake expects to see around 5,000 veterans and their family members. Hosting them free of charge comes to around $50,000, he said. The event is also funded by individual and business sponsorships, but those are harder to come in the current financial climate, Wake explained. Anyone wishing to donate should call the Wake Foundation at 573-281-5140.

The Wake Foundation serves veterans’ social and mental health needs. Wake believes it is vital to provide outings for veterans and their families, ensuring they have the chance to get out, have fun and socialize. He is excited for this year’s concert despite the hurdles, but also fears the pandemic could cause a last-minute cancellation.

“I have high concerns to getting closer and closer to February the 11th of getting that dreadful phone call that we can’t have it ... there’s a lot of challenges with this,” he said, “But it is such an awesome event.”

Tickets are free and available by calling Stars and Strips Museum in Bloomfield at 574-568-2055, the Black River Coliseum at 573-686-8001 or the Wake Foundation. More information is available at the Wake Foundation Facebook page or wakefoundation.org.

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