Employees honor and feed veterans at ‘drive-thru parade’ breakfast

By T. Wampler Jobe News and Sports

 

South Central Bank held their annual Veterans Celebration outside their Operations Center on South Rogers Boulevard in Glasgow last Wednesday morning. South Central Bank and its employees honor and feed veterans on a morning before Veterans Day every year.

This year, like in 2020 due to COVID concerns, the event was held outside as a “drive-thru parade.”

Each veteran and family member in the vehicle were presented with breakfast by SCB employees. All the employees volunteer and help pass out the meals or hold signs thanking the veterans as they drive through the parade route.

Owen Lambert, SCB Barren County Marketing Director, opened the program with brief remarks and a prayer after Robbie Fudge played “Taps” and the “National Anthem” on his trumpet as part of the opening ceremony.

The Glasgow Police Department Color Guard (Lt. Jabin McGuire, Lt. Steven Fields, Sgt. Wesley Hicks, and Ofc. John Warnock—veteran) raised the Flag setting a somber tone and reminding the attendees of the many men and women serving all over the world today as a part of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard).

“I would like to welcome everyone this morning to this celebration and our acknowledgment of the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf,” began Lambert before bowing his head in prayer.

“Lord God, we feel your spirit and your power all around us,” Lambert prayed. “We acknowledge you as our sovereign God. Lord, we are so grateful for the blessings you continue to give us.”

Lambert expressed his thanks for the people that had “gone before us” and “those that are presently protecting us and preserving the blessings” the Lord has given our nation.

“It is my pleasure to be at the podium on behalf of our company as we acknowledge those of you that have served,” Lambert said following his prayer. “You’ve served willingly and all of you, in some way, were willing to put your life in harm’s way.”

Lambert thanked the men and women that are serving today and providing protection for us including the police and fire department, and TJ Sampson Community Hospital.

Lambert concluded by thanking all the participants including the many volunteers from South Central Bank.

“This is a celebration of our country and the people that defend it,” said Pat Price, SCB’s Chief Financial Officer, an employee for eight years. “It is an honor to be here.”

“It is an honor to be here and say thank you to our veterans,” added Mindy Huber from the SCB Special Assets Department, an employee for over 11 years. “This is a great place to work and a wonderful event.”

“It is a beautiful morning and a great morning to be honoring our veterans who have served and live in our community,” said Phillip Carter, SCB Director of Marketing. “This is a tradition that we’ve been doing for almost two decades. It is such a great privilege to honor the men and women that have served and defended our freedom.”

“It is also an honor to recognize their families and the sacrifices they’ve made too,” added Carter.

Carter said this was just a great event and another way this community demonstrates how “we all come together” and show what a great place it is to live in Glasgow, Barren County, and all the surrounding communities.

“This event is what really makes up a good community like Glasgow,” continued Carter. “This is a priority for them…the people in this area look forward to this day and this event to honor our veterans. You do not see this in all communities, and we are fortunate…we are blessed to have people that care and reach out to say thank you to our veterans.”

“It speaks to the character of the people that make this place their home,” added Carter.

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,” said Carter. “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.”

“We want to thank everyone that participated in the celebration this morning,” concluded Carter. “It makes me proud to be a part of this community.”