Veteran's Welcome Home Celebration on Oct 8
The John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center will host its 4th Annual “Welcome Home” Celebration for military veterans and their families and friends on Saturday, October 8. The public is invited to participate and show appreciation for America’s heroes. The “Welcome Home” theme spotlights returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, but also serves as a way to honor the service of all veterans.
In addition, a special ceremony inducting eight new honorees into the Wall of Valor will take place. Unique among VA medical centers to the John J. Pershing VAMC, the purpose of the Wall of Valor is to recognize veterans who have received awards for their valorous actions in combat.
The event will also serve as a final commemoration of the VA medical center’s 60th anniversary; an occasion that has been noted in a series of events throughout the year.
The “Heroes, Hot Dogs and Hot Rods” themed day will begin with an opening ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in the front of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center at 1500 N. Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff. Special guests and speakers will be present to honor the veterans, and the Wall of Valor inductions will take place during the ceremony. Following the service, veterans and their families are invited to explore the Antique/Custom/Hot Rod Car Show, listen to live music, and enjoy watching the kids in the bounce house or indulging in face painting. All veterans, families, guests, participants, and attendees will be treated to free hot dogs. (In the event of adverse weather conditions the ceremonies will be held inside the medical center lobby and other events may have to be postponed to a later date.)
For more information about the event, contact the Craig Barwick with the Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraq Freedom (OEF / OIF) Veterans Program office at 573-686-4151 extension 5-4253 or 1-888-557-8262 extension 5-4253.