The Oak Ridge Boys packed the Black River Coliseum to a tune of more than 4,500 people Tuesday evening for the Wake Foundation’s VAlentines For Veterans concert. They were joined by Ashley Campbell, daughter of the legendary Glen Campbell, and her musical partner Thor Jenson.
Robert Wake, a Purple Heart recipient himself, is the founder and CEO of the Wake Foundation. He is passionate about honoring and assisting veterans and dedicates his time to doing just that.
For the past 13 years, the Wake Foundation has helped sponsor VAlentines for Veterans, a musical event honoring veterans for their service and sacrifices.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney and foundation board member Sawyer Smith and his wife Leeza Edmundson Smith, a former Poplar Bluff resident, attended the event and paid tribute to veterans for their service and sacrifice. Smith said he is honored to be on the board of the Wake Foundation because it allows him to give something back to those who have made sacrifices for this country.
It is a great event for veterans, said Army veteran Echo Rudd of Puxico.
“Especially those of us who don’t really do crowds well, this gives us the opportunity to be comfortable in our own skin in a big crowd of people,” said Rudd. “I have only missed three of these concerts since I got out of the service in 2012.”
Air Force veteran Amy Tanner served in the Gulf War and said the event has become a tradition for her and her dad, Army veteran Harold Tanner.
“My dad asks me to do this every year. We do this together because we are both veterans and this is our way of connecting. I really enjoy it and I think it’s a very good way to honor veterans,” said Tanner.
The same sentiment was felt amongst others in the crowd. Vietnam veteran Arthur Baucom said he enjoyed the concert and the country music and he felt honored for the opportunity to attend the concert as he has several times in the past.
Buddy Moore of Campbell said he served his time in Dessert Storm.
“I’m just glad that the Wake Foundation honors the veterans that have served and sacrificed and I am glad to be here,” he said.
The Rice family was also thankful to be at the event. Naval veteran Richard Rice of Kennett served in Vietnam.
“I enjoy the concert, it means a lot to have this opportunity,” he said.
Rice was accompanied by his wife Faye and daughter Sharon.
“We know Robert Wake pretty well. He’s from our hometown of Kennett and we love this. We always enjoy the concert and we just think it’s a wonderful service to our veterans,” said Faye.
Betty Nicewonger of Bloomfield served as a medical specialist at Jefferson Barracks in the Air National Guard and said she felt the concert was a great service to veterans.
“It’s a great way to honor them and give a little bit back, let them know they have been remembered. This also serves a wide community, people come from other states and counties to share the camaraderie of being in the service together,” she said.