Crowder Aggies Honor Veterans
Students at Crowder College honor veterans with appreciation dinner.
What began as a simple conversation became the first-ever Veterans Appreciation dinner hosted by Crowder Aggie students from Crowder College in Neosho.
When the idea first emerged to honor veterans, locating the funds to take on the endeavor was met with the assurance of the Aggie students.
“As a community college, funding is always a concern,” stated Crowder College President Jennifer Methvin. “But when the idea was presented to the Ag division students, they said, ‘We will make it happen.’”
For those in attendance, the Crowder Agriculture Department furnished a barbecue meal and musical entertainment by local band “Borderline Bluegrass.”
Over 160 military veterans of all ages, serving from the latter part of World War II through the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, represented all branches of service (with the exception of the Coast Guard) at the maiden event. The focus was to honor the men and women who chose to step out of everyday life and into service for their nation.
The event began fittingly with the presentation of the colors by the McDonald County JROTC Color Guard, who also led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Appropriately, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by a Crowder student as the colors remained. Many of the veterans who could stand at attention did so, but all the veterans saluted Old Glory as she passed by.
The staff and students acknowledged the sacrifice of military men and women with a moving speech highlighting how a grandfather’s sacrifice allowed a young woman to have the freedom to attend Crowder College. Another recalled a childhood friend losing his father in Vietnam and then realizing this friend would never go camping or do things with his father like he could do each day.
The veterans traveled from around the region — some from as far as 200 miles away — to attend the appreciation event.
Veterans from various organizations, such as area VFWs, American Legion Posts and the Mt. Vernon Veterans Home, were in attendance. Also attending were representatives from the “One Veteran, One Dog, Two Lives Saved” organization based in Grove, Okla. The organization rescues abandoned dogs or dogs scheduled for euthanasia and places them with veterans who take part in training the dogs to become certified service animals.
The event also served as a reunion of sorts as fellow veterans found friends from their past, greeting each other with hearty handshakes, hugs and laughter. “That was the best part,” said Ronnie Rogers, who helped coordinate the event along with Ag Division Chair and Instructor Jay Wilkins.
Future plans are in the works to continue the event each year as a way to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans in the four-state area and beyond. Additionally, College President Methvin announced the formation of an exploratory committee headed by Wilkins to discuss a proposed Veteran’s Memorial at the Neosho campus. The committee will draft a proposal on location, size and other details to present to the Board of Trustees for approval.
“It went very well, and we are proud of the students for stepping up and making this happen for our veterans,” Methvin said.