Veterans Honored in Village on 11 Nov 2024 ⋆ Hot Springs Village Gazette

Hot Springs Village saluted veterans and their families at the Woodlands Auditorium on November 11, 2024, with Colonel Keith Keck officiating as the Master of Ceremonies. Marking the 70th anniversary of Veterans Day, the event was sponsored by the HSV Veterans Memorial Foundation under the watchful eye of Senior Advisor Lieutenant General (Retired) Jeffrey Lofgren. The Veterans Memorial celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year.

Recognition of Veterans Service Organizations Serving Within Hot Springs Village

This year’s theme was “Recognition of the Veterans Service Organizations Serving Within Hot Springs Village.” Keck said there are three veterans service organizations in the village: American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Military Officers Association.

Mike Williams, Commander of American Legion Post 0123 introduced the guest speaker. Twenty-year Air Force veteran, Marie Wilbanks was the Commander of the American Legion Dept of Arkansas. She now co-owns Vetcentric Mental Health where she continues serving by providing mental services in areas unique to veterans and their families.

Doctor Wilbanks gave an overview of the support veterans receive from the American Legion. She also discussed some of the problems veterans faced when returning from war. “Elected officials and federal bureaucrats had forgotten the promises made in President Lincoln’s second inaugural address.” She said caring for those who had gone to battle was no longer a priority in post-World War America, and stressed the insensitivity of some lawmakers to wounded warriors.

Wilbanks said, “For 105 years now, the American Legend has led the charge for Americans as a leading advocate for veterans’ healthcare and rehabilitation, children and youth programs, and a strong national security policy.”

Personally Engraved Bricks at the Veterans Memorial

Keck recognized the work of Harv Shelton who recently installed additional paving bricks at the village memorial. Vets or families of vets can commemorate their own military service or that of loved ones by purchasing a personally engraved paving brick to be installed at the memorial. The bricks recognize service to our country.

For information on brick sales, call Shelton at 501-922-2992.

Music and Other Details

Pastor Douglas Walker, USA (RET) gave the invocation. Larry Bauer [Commander] led the Honor Guard as they posted colors and performed the Honor Guard Salute. The Echo Taps were by Jim Kelly. Mark Klemann and Julie Keck performed the Tolling of the Bells.

The Jessieville High School Choir and the HSV Crystal Chimes performed patriotic songs. Fountain Lake students reflected on Veterans Day.

The foundation received support from HSV American Legion Post 0123, HSV Military Officers Association of America, HSV Rotary Club, HSV Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10483, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Arkansas Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Immediately following the ceremony, the Hot Springs Village Rotary Club hosted a lunch for all veterans and their families.