The Wake Foundation held its first military ball Saturday evening, and members hoped it was the start of a new tradition.
“This is the very first time we’ve done a ball,” said Director Robert Wake. “We wanted to do a classy, first-class ball, perhaps one we could do annually.”
Veterans and their families were invited to the black tie event, which was catered by Castello’s. Sweet Mayhem Bakery & Bistro in Kennett donated an elaborate patriotic cake, and the evening was rounded out with music from the Jerry Ford Orchestra.
Wake Foundation Vice President Tom Rankin said attendance was good for a first-time event — veterans and their plus-ones filled most of the Poplar Bluff Holiday Inn’s ballroom.
Along with honor flights, concerts and handicap accessible hunting trips, Rankin believes events show the public their donations always go back to veterans.
“It definitely shows the veterans and the community that we do give back everything we raise,” he explained.
Chief Petty Officer Tim Stonecipher was one of the veterans in attendance, and he hoped to see the event grow bigger and better in the future. When gatherings bring veterans together, it raises their spirits, he said.
“I think the best thing that happens here is vets being around other vets,” Stonecipher said.
Petty Officer 1st Class Peggy Montgomery agreed.
“I think it’s fabulous. It’s a great celebration for military veterans... It would be really nice to (annually) celebrate everyone who’s served in the area,” she said.
All three speakers — Rep. Hardy Billington, Sen. Jason Bean and retired Col. Douglas Rose — thanked the Wake Foundation and spoke on the value of honoring veterans.
Billington stated he was thankful for family members who had served, including his father, brother and grandson.
“I’m honored to be on the veterans committee and I will fight for you guys,” he promised.
Bean focused especially on veterans of the Vietnam War, who were met with neglect and hostility when they returned from active duty.
“I’d just like to say I’m sorry, and thank you,” he said.
“It isn’t hard to tell our nation is facing a difficult period,” Bean continued, “and I believe events like this to show our support are valuable.”
Rose, a Qulin native, was the keynote speaker. Warfare had changed, he noted, but “the veterans are still heroes” and American history is full of their “brave actions and quiet courage.”
“Tonight as we celebrate, we honor our veterans for their service because without them, there would be no land of the free,” he said.
The best way to honor veterans every day is by safeguarding democracy, voting and volunteering in communities, he added.
Rose entered active duty in 1990 and has served in leadership positions at the Pentagon, FEMA and other government organizations since then.
The next Wake Foundation event will be an honor flight of 30 veterans and 20 caretakers departing Sept. 8 to visit the war memorials of Washington, D.C.
More information on the Wake Foundation is available at wakefoundation.org.