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VA fair honors veterans, informs of benefits

  • Published
  • By Steven Berry
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center hosted a Welcome Home Celebration Saturday at Memorial Plaza in downtown St. Louis. The event honored Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and informed them about VA benefits. 

Col. Gary Goldstone, 375th Airlift Wing commander, and Brig. Gen. Daniel Gillen spoke during a ceremony on the steps of Soldiers' Memorial. General Gillen is the Mobilization Assistant to the Command Surgeon, Air Mobility Command Headquarters and U.S. Transportation Command. The Band of Mid-America played music during the beginning of the ceremony, which was lead by Carlos Escobar, St. Louis VA Medical Center Director, and Art Holliday, KSDK news anchor. The keynote speaker was Navy SEAL Reservist Lt. Eric Greitens. Lieutenant Greitens deployed four times during the Global War on Terrorism. He is an author and photographer, and teaches public service, ethics and leadership at the University of Missouri. Lieutenant Greitens is also the CEO and Chairman of a nonprofit organization called The Mission Continues.
He spoke Saturday of the historical tradition of citizens protecting their democracy. 

"I am honored to stand with you today as just one humble representative of a long and unbroken line of citizens that have served this country for over 220 years," Lieutenant Greitens said. 

He spoke of the first democracy in Athens, Greece and quoted the ancient Greek leader Pericles. 

"Looking today at so many generations of veterans here, I am reminded of what Pericles once said: 'There is one thing that never grows old, and that is honor.'" 

General Gillen and Colonel Goldstone honored U.S. servicemembers who had recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with specially minted medallions. 

"To all veterans and family members, we say thank you," Colonel Goldstone said. "Thanks for your sacrifices, your sense of duty and for your service. Our nation salutes you, and we gather here today to salute you." 

Near the end of the ceremony General Gillen, Colonel Goldstone and Lieutenant Greitens presented Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans with medallions in honor of their service. 

Retired Coast Guard member Rich Hogan was surprised by the medallion presentation.
"It's humbling," Mr. Hogan said. "I didn't expect to get it." 

Veterans like Mr. Hogan had the opportunity Saturday to learn about VA benefits and register for VA care. 

Chestnut and 14th Streets were closed where the roads cut through Veterans Plaza. The streets were lined with informational booths about VA programs and services, veteran's service organizations, educational opportunities and community programs.