DRAFFENVILLE – On a beautiful Veteran’s Day, those who served were honored in a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Mike Miller Park. Guest Speaker Brigadier General Benjamin Adams came in by helicopter, landing on the back ball field at the park and escorted to the Veterans Plaza in an M151 Mutt.
Brigadier General Adams is currently assigned as Commander, Land Component Command in Frankfort, Kentucky. He is the Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard-United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Introductions were made by Robert Chandler with Benton Mayor Rita Dodson serving as Master of Ceremonies. Calvert City American Legion Post 236 presented the colors followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Following remarks from Brigadier General Adams, Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham presented a special tribute to Representative Richard Lewis who passed away in 1997 at the age of 59, speaking about his accomplishments and way he handled things calling it “the Lewis way” saying “we need more to be handled in the Lewis way right now in our nation”.
Wife Martha Lewis and members of the family, unveiled a plaque in Richard’s honor for his efforts in the construction of the Benton Armory and his years serving in the U.S. Army and in the Kentucky House of Representatives. The plaque will be placed at the Benton Armory. A street sign “Richard Lewis Way” was also unveiled. Cunningham said of the honor for Lewis, “this has been 19 years in the making”.
The ceremony concluded with the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” led by Judge Shae Nickell and a 21 Gun Salute from Post 236.
Observed annually on November 11th, honoring military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces, previously known as Armistice Day following the ending of major hostilities of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
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Thank you for your service!
