A Veterans Day to Remember

 

Honoring our Veterans and celebrating new steps forward at Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This Veterans Day, despite the cold and wind, our campus was filled with warmth, gratitude, and community as we gathered to say the words every Veteran deserves to hear: “Thank you for your service.”

Friends, families, Veterans, and supporters came together at Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial to honor those who have served and to reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom.

 

Honoring Our Guest Speaker: Richard A. Schemel, Jr., U.S. Army Veteran

We were especially honored to welcome Richard A. Schemel, Jr., U.S. Army Veteran, as our guest speaker. Service runs deep in his family. His father served in the Army, and his sister, daughter, and Richard himself all attended West Point.

Richard graduated from West Point with a degree in Civil Engineering and went on to serve in the 101st Airborne Division. After his military service, he built a successful career in the construction industry.

Today, Richard continues that spirit of service as a member of our Construction Committee, helping guide the preservation and expansion of Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial. We are deeply grateful for his service to our country and for the wisdom and leadership he shares with us here at the Memorial.

 

Celebrating Our Veterans Day Fundraiser Goal

Veterans Day was also a time to celebrate the generosity of our supporters.

Our goal for the Veterans Day Fundraiser was to raise $2,500, and thanks to our generous community, we reached it.

To everyone who gave: thank you. Your kindness and support help us continue our mission of honoring Veterans and their families and ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten.

 

A New Milestone: Sidewalk Expansion Project Ribbon Cutting

Following the ceremony, we celebrated another important milestone on our campus: the Sidewalk Expansion Project.

Alongside the Perryville Chamber of Commerce, we held a ribbon cutting to officially open the new sidewalks. These walkways:

  • Open the way to the sites of future monuments
  • Improve accessibility across the campus
  • Help guide visitors through spaces of reflection and remembrance

Seeing visitors walk those paths for the first time on Veterans Day was a moment we won’t soon forget.

 

A Veterans Day to Remember

Veterans Day always warms our hearts as we pause together to say thank you to those who served. This year felt especially meaningful as we not only honored our Veterans, but also shared exciting progress on our growing campus.

Thank you for your presence, your encouragement, and your ongoing support. Together, we are building a place where Veterans are always remembered and always honored.

If you’d like to support the mission of Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial, we invite you to visit our giving page or join us at an upcoming event. Your support makes all of this possible.