South Central Bank honors and feeds veterans at annual breakfast

 

 

By Thomas Wampler Jobe Regional News and Sports

South Central Bank held their annual Veterans Breakfast Program at their Operations Center Community Room on South Rogers Boulevard in Glasgow last Friday morning. South Central Bank and their employees honor and feed veterans on the Friday morning before Veterans Day every year. According to Les Bale, South Central Bank began this effort to honor veterans in 1999 and all the employees that help to serve and take care of the veterans all morning at the event volunteer their time.

The program has grown and evolved over the years, but the essential focus remains the same-feed and honor veterans. Many of the same veterans return year-after-year and new veterans also come for the first time.

“Our employees look forward to this event all year and wake up early, come in off the clock to show their appreciation for area veterans,” Hale said emphasizing they were not paid to attend the breakfast. “We could not make this happen without our employees and every one of them volunteered to be here. This is a way they can show their appreciation and say thank you to our veterans.”

Bale also thanked Dan Klein for getting this event started.

Owen Lambert, the Barren County President of South Central Bank, opened the program for SCB followed by the presentation of the “Colors” by the Glasgow Police Department’s Color Guard composed of Captain Jabin McGuire and Officer Wesley Hicks. Robbie Fudge played “Taps” on his trumpet as part of the opening ceremony.

“I’d like to begin our program like we always do,” Lambert said. “We will say it several times in different ways—thank you for your service to our country, thank you for your service to our community and thank you for your many selfless acts.”

SCB dignitaries and employees greeted local veterans and ushered them to a catered breakfast in celebration of Veterans Day. The veterans were served, and all their needs were met.

Last on the program but first in the hearts of the veterans came at the end of the program when teachers and students from six different Red Cross Elementary-Preschool classes said the Pledge of Allegiance to honor the veterans and handed out a special card and a “kiss and a hug” (chocolate candy) to the veterans.

After they finished their presentation, the students were treated to breakfast too.

Bale, V.P. of Secondary Mortgage Lending, gave the keynote speech. Bale is the grandson of the founder of SCB and attended the Naval Academy. Bale is a Marine Veteran. “This is our way, just a simple, humble gesture of giving back and honoring veterans who made sacrifices to serve our country during war and peace,” said Bale. “We appreciate, respect and value their service and this is our way of saying thank you and we still care.”

“May God bless all that served and still do,” Bale said in closing his address. “May God continue to bless the United States of America.”

“No one cares if you’re a registered Democrat or Republican when it comes time for you to serve,” Bale said in an interview after his short speech. “These veterans come together and enjoy this time of fellowship. That is another reason our employees volunteer their time to come and be a part of this and watch the interaction of all the veterans no matter what branch of the service or era they served during. It reminds us that we are all Americans.”

Bale said the employees are “off the clock” and love to serve and help the veterans in any way they can.

Next to the podium was Steve Dolan. Dolan spoke eloquently about the “Honor Flight” program encouraging veterans to sign up for a trip to Washington, D.C. “We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by,” said Dolan (quoting Will Rogers) and stating his love and appreciation for veterans during his short talk about the Honor Flight Program. Dolan helps arrange honor flights to Washington, D.C. for all veterans interested in making the trip.

During the program, Bale presented a $5,000-dollar check to Dan Atkinson. Bale presented the check from South Central Bank to Atkinson on behalf of local DAV Chapter 20’s general fund. “We know this is what Mike (Wilson-was the Commander of DAV Chapter 20 until his recent death) would have wanted,” said Atkinson of using the $5,000-dollar donation to help veterans through the DAV. “Mike worked hard to help veterans and we will continue that work. We thank South Central Bank for this donation and this wonderful breakfast.”

Veterans Say Thank You

“It is good to see more people recognizing the veterans in the last few years,” said David Simmons. “I was in the Army in the late ’60s and people were not so crazy about seeing men in uniform…this was during Vietnam. It is good to see people a little more understanding and appreciative than they were back then.”

“I have come to this breakfast several times and I really enjoy it and appreciate SCB and all their employees for putting this together for veterans,” Simmons added.

Simmons said he comes from a big family and that there were nine boys. “Five of them served and three of them made the military their careers,” Simmons said. “And I had one sister that her husband was a career soldier. My family has over 100 years of military service in our history.”

Simmons can trace his family’s service back to his great-great-grandfather who was a Captain during the Civil War.

“When you are sworn into the Military, you sign a blank check that could go as far as sacrificing your life for your country,” Simmons said. “We don’t know what will be required but all of us make sacrifices.

We all are willing to answer the call and do whatever is needed for our country.”

“I look forward to coming to this breakfast every year,” said Army veteran Thomas Wampler. “It is a great chance to see veterans I know and meet others from the area that I don’t know. The food is wonderful and SCB and all their employees are so kind and helpful.”

“I want to say thank you to all the employees at SCB that volunteer their time to make this event happen,” he added. “My wife and I bank at SCB and that same kindness and friendliness is something I see all year round.”

“They do a really nice job at this breakfast,” said Kenneth E. Sexton and his wife, Marjorie. “We know a lot of the people that work here, and we enjoy coming here and seeing them and all the other veterans and their families.”

“I enjoy this and have been several times before and hope to keep coming,” said Eugene Moore Army veteran.

“This is a great event and I look forward to attending every year,” said Jay Harvell Vietnam Army veteran. “For South Central Bank to do this is a great honor for us. Vietnam vets didn’t get a welcome home when we got back so this means a lot to us. We’ve seen a complete turnaround…that’s good for us and good for America.”

“Our Country called, and we answered,” Harvell added.

“This is a great event and nice of them to do this,” said Ken Thomas a National Guard veteran.

Kenneth E. Sexton quote

“They do a really nice job at this breakfast,” said both Kenneth E. Sexton and his wife, Marjorie. “We know a lot of the people that work here, and we enjoy coming here and seeing them and all the other veterans and their families.”

David Simmons Quote

“It is good to see more people recognizing the veterans in the last few years.” said David Simmons. “I was in the Army in the late 60’s and people were not so crazy about seeing men in uniform…this was during Vietnam. It is good to see people a little more understanding and appreciative than they were back then.”

Eugene Moore quote  

“I enjoy this and have been several times before and hope to keep coming,” said Eugene Moore Army veteran.  

 Jay Harvell quote  

“This is a great event and I look forward to attending every year,” said Jay Harvell Vietnam Army veteran. “For South Central Bank to do this is a great honor for us. Vietnam vets didn’t get a welcome home when we got back so this means a lot to us. We’ve seen a complete turnaround…that’s good for us and good for America.”

“Our Country called, and we answered,” Harvell added.

Ken Thomas quote  

“This is a great event and nice of them to do this,” said Ken Thomas a National Guard veteran.  

Atkinson Quote

“We know this is what Mike (Wilson was the Commander of DAV Chapter 20 until his recent death) would have wanted,” said Dan Atkinson of DAV Chapter 20 of using the $5,000-dollar donation to help veterans through the DAV. “Mike worked hard to help veterans and we thank South Central Bank for this donation and this wonderful breakfast.”  

Dolan’s Quote

“We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by,” said Steve Dolan (quoting Will Rogers) adding his love and appreciation for veterans during his short talk about the Honor Flight Program. Dolan helps arrange honor flights to Washington, D.C. for all veterans interested in making the trip.

 Les Bale

“This is our way, just a simple gesture of giving back and honoring veterans who made sacrifices to serve our country during war and peace,” said Les Bale. “We appreciate and value their service and this is our way of saying thank you and we still care.”

“May God bless all that served and still do,” Bale said in closing his address. “May God continue to bless the United States of America.”

 Owen Lambert quote

“I’d like to begin our program like we always do,” said Owen Lambert. “We will say it several times in different ways—thank you for your service to our country, thank you for your service to our community and thank you for your many selfless acts.”

 All Photos by Thomas Wampler Jobe Regional News and Sports