As Veterans Day approaches, Missouri's own Lt. Governor David Wasinger has put out a call to the people of his state: pay tribute to the more than 400,000 veterans in Missouri. Wasinger, a figure whose dedication to veterans' affairs has been evident throughout his term, urges residents to take meaningful actions to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans throughout history.
In a recent address, Wasinger described the veterans as "the backbone of our communities" and called for a statewide acknowledgment of their role in ensuring the freedoms that citizens enjoy every day. Echoing this sentiment, Wasinger encouraged the public, "We must always put our veterans first." He highlighted several initiatives aimed at honoring veterans, including safeguarding veterans' homes and improving access to jobs and education, as reported by ltgov.mo.gov.
A series of community-centered activities has been suggested to celebrate Veterans Day. These actions range from attending ceremonies at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, volunteering at Missouri Veterans Homes, to supporting local veteran-owned businesses. Wasinger's campaign for using this time as a moment of community bonding and gratitude is not singularly about reflection, but about fostering an environment where veterans are continually respected and remembered for their contributions.
Moreover, there is a call to raise the American flag in solidarity and to convey its importance to younger generations. Wasinger's messages don't just end with platitudes; he actively pushes for practical support for both local and overseas service members. This includes sending cards or care packages, to deployed Missouri National Guard members and donating to organizations that support veterans, such as the VFW, American Legion, DAV, or Honor Flight hubs across Missouri.
In his concluding remarks, Wasinger stated on ltgov.mo.gov, "Let's show our veterans we appreciate them not just with words, but through action.”
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