Honoring Missouri’s heroes

Rep. Allen Andrews

As Veterans Day draws closer, Missouri’s public officials want to honor veterans who give of their time and energy to volunteer for worthwhile organizations in their hometowns.

Currently, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is seeking nominations for the 2015 Lieutenant Governor’s Veterans Service Award.

In the words of Lt. Gov. Kinder, “Many of our state’s veterans, who selflessly served their nation, continue to serve their communities through volunteerism. This award provides an opportunity to recognize those efforts and honor our Missouri veterans.”

The deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 31.

Each nominee will receive a certificate of recognition, which will note the nominating person or agency.

To be considered for the award, individuals must have served or currently be serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and volunteer a minimum of 25 hours per year. A Veterans Service Award Nomination form can be found on the lieutenant governor’s website, www.ltgov.mo.gov, under the “Veterans” banner and after clicking on “Veterans Service Award Winners.”

Nomination forms also are available at veteran services agencies, libraries, courthouses, senior centers and other agencies in communities throughout the state.

Winners, selected from across the state, will be announced on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

They will be presented with an official declaration from Lt. Gov.Kinder at a ceremony in the Capitol when the General Assembly is in session to give lawmakers the opportunity to also honor these veterans.

Completed nominations can be mailed to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office at 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 224, Jefferson City, Mo., 65101, or emailed to [email protected]. For questions about the award, call the Lieutenant Governor’s Office at 573-751-4727 or my Capitol office at 573-751-9465.