It wasn't easy for them to talk about their experiences, and it took some convincing to get some of them to do it, but local veterans Thursday night shared what they went through serving in the military.
Operation Bugle Boy held a seminar at the Missouri River Regional Library called "The Price of Freedom: Our Wounded Warriors."
Those who spoke included:
Tyler Huffman, a Marine who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Afghanistan.
David Hunter, a Marine who served in the Vietnam War.
Bryce Lockwood, a Marine who served in the Six-Day War and Vietnam War.
Don Hentges, who served in the Army in the Vietnam War.
Janet Roling, who is the daughter of Don Hentges.
James Schaffner, who served in the Army in World War II at Okinawa.
OBB is a nonprofit honoring current soldiers, veterans and first responders. The group seeks to find innovative ways to support local heroes.
"We all had a piece of that action," said Hunter, who served in Vietnam. "We wanted the young people to hear some of these stories, and I was so glad to see many here in the audience. I was wounded three times. I went through, right at 25 years of service, and was the last captain to command the Marine detachment at Fort Leonard Wood training almost 2,000 Marines a year."
Schaffner, now 93, served more than 75 years ago in WWII and said it's important for the next generation to know about the sacrifices made by earlier generations.
"They need to know the fact that we did it to save this country," Schaffner said. "One of these days, their children or grandchildren might be called on to do it again."
Plans have been made to honor local honor veterans with several events around Veterans Day.
On the Thursday before Veterans Day, Nov. 7, the annual Mid American Bank Veterans Day Luncheon will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Wardsville Lions Club. This free lunch is to honor men and women (and spouses) of the armed forces, past and present. Those planning to attend should RSVP to Rachael Schulte at [email protected] or at 537-635-0019
Also on Nov. 7, OBB's Wave 'Em If You Have 'Em leads up to Veterans Appreciation Night. The Wave 'Em event starts at 3:15 p.m. along Amazonas Drive in western Jefferson City. Veterans who received the Purple Heart will be the honored guests and travel in a motorcade from Candlewood Suites to the St. Martins Knights of Columbus Hall in St. Martins for a dinner and program to follow. The Wave 'Em route goes from Amazonas, left on Truman Boulevard, right on Country Club, to Business 50 in Apache Flats, right on Route T in St. Martins and into Knights Hall. Supporters should find a safe spot along the route and wave flags or banners as the motorcade passes.
The featured speaker at this year's OBB appreciation night will be Donna Rowe, a triage nurse who served in Vietnam. Rowe is also scheduled to speak at schools and with other groups over a couple of days.
The annual Veterans Day ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at American Legion Post 5 on Tanner Bridge Road. Organizers said they had planned to hold the ceremony at the Capitol, as they have in the past, but the decision was made to move the ceremony due to construction currently taking place. David Hunter, a Vietnam veteran who was wounded multiple times and was awarded the Purple Heart, is scheduled to be the featured speaker. Taps and a memorial firing of arms will take place. The ceremony is open to the public; lunch will be provided.