CAMDEN — By TAMMY FRAZIER
Managing editor
Ouachita Judge Robbie McAdoo has designated September as “Veteran’s and Patriot’s Awareness & Appreciation Month” and is seeking names and information of veterans of Ouachita County to celebrate this event, according to a news release.
Information to be obtained includes name, town of residence, branch of service, rank, countries served in, conflict served, years served and medals and awards.
Area veterans and patriots will be honored throughout the month of September culminating with the Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14 at Cullendale First Baptist Church with an appreciation program and meal. Door prizes will be drawn for veterans.
All veterans and their families are invited and encouraged to attend the event.
The Camden News spoke with McAdoo about the purpose of the event and he said he felt that just have one day out of the year - the Veteran's Day holiday - is not enough to really honor those who served the country.
"It really doesn't speak the type of volume that we need to speak as American citizens to honor those men and women that went and served," the judge said. "A lot of them gave their lives to this country and our freedom."
He said that three years ago, he and Ouachita County Veterans Service Officer Jim Bob Davis brainstormed and set the goal of making the entire month of September one that would honor veterans, "those that have gone on, and those that are still living."
McAdoo stated that there has been great response from the community in helping to organize the events.
He added:
"I just really believe that we, as American citizens, need to be humble and very much give honor to those men and women that served our country for our freedom."
During the program this year, Davis, and others, will be available to educate veterans about services available of which they may not already be award.
Also, local businessman Josh Steed - who has spearheaded veteran recognition for many years - will join additional sponsors of the event including McAdoo, Mayor Marie Trisollini, the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hubert J. Purifoy VFW Post 4554, Steed's businesses Deluxe Barber Shop and Pit Stop Quick Lube, and the Shoppers Guide.
Door prizes will be provided by local individuals and businesses with a suggested minimum value of $25 to be given away at the Sept. 14 event.
To donate items, contact Davis at 870-837-2216, or drop off items at the Ouachita County Courthouse.
According to the Veterans Administration Office of Actuary, there are currently 2,495 veterans in Ouachita County. Local businesses are encouraged to offer discounts to veterans during the month to show their support, and to notify the Chamber of Commerce of those discounts in order to get that information to veterans.
For more information, contact McAdoo at 837-2210, Beth Osteen at the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce at 836-6426, or Steed at 870-818-9453.