Veterans group celebration is Nov. 11 in Wooster
The Joint Veterans Organization of Wayne County has organized its 34th annual program to celebrate and honor local veterans on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The free event is at the Event Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster and is open to the public.
The Joint Veterans Organization of Wayne County has organized its 34th annual program to celebrate and honor local veterans on Nov. 11.
The event will take place in the Event Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster at 11 a.m. and is open to the public, free of charge.
The Joint Veterans of Wayne County originally was created as a financial oversight entity between the Wayne County commissioners and the Veterans Service Commission.
However, the group’s mission today involves facilitating the Veterans Day observance and the Veteran of the Year selection each year.
The program will feature a variety of recognizable faces as Jill Jordan Burke will sing the national anthem, the 555 Honors Detachment will present the colors and President of the Ohio Vietnam Veterans Association Richard Arthur will be the main speaker.
In addition, the Wayne County Veteran of the Year will be announced, a tradition that was started in 1989 to honor one outstanding local veteran for his/her services and dedication to the community.
Last year’s recipient was Nelson Weirick, a retired maintenance and repair technician who served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 20 years.
Jeff Sampsel, Army Vietnam veteran and four-year treasurer and first-year president of the Joint Veterans Organization of Wayne County, is eager to bring this event to the community once again and honor veterans for their services.
He hopes to provide a space for veterans and the community to come together and share stories, support and appreciation for one another and all they have done for the Wayne County community and this country.
“(I want to offer) a chance for veterans to reunite with each other and to honor all who have served our country,” he said, “and to show appreciation to the Veteran of the Year.”
From young to old, every veteran, family member, friend, local leader or all of the above are encouraged to come recognize and honor veterans during this program.
Light refreshments will be available by the organization including coffee, tea, hot chocolate and doughnuts for attendees throughout the program.
While there is not a fee for admission for attendees, the Joint Veterans Organization of Wayne County will accept donations during the event.
However, donations also are accepted by the organization at any time throughout the year for future support and recognition of local veterans during this annual event.
Sampsel and the rest of the organization are hopeful to see this event continue to be put on for years to come.
“We would like to see this continue long after we are no longer on this earth,” Sampsel said.