RISON - About 200 people took in the Cleveland County Veterans Association’s annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner this past Saturday at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison.This marked the 10th year that the grassroots organization has sponsored the dinner that provides a free meal to a veteran and their guest. Major General (retired) Kendall Penn, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, served as the guest speaker at this year’s event. Prior to being appointed to secretary of veterans affairs, he served as Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard for three years. He served in the Arkansas National Guard for 34 years.Penn gave those attending a brief history of the how Veterans Day became a national holiday in the U.S. While first observed by European countries as Armistice Day commemorating the end of World War I, it wasn’t until 1938 that it became observed in the U.S. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower than signed legislation to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor all veterans. The holiday is officially on Nov. 11.Penn lauded the service of veterans not only while they are in active duty, but also when they return hone. “Most veterans in Arkansas are doing well for themselves,” he said, referring to how former veterans are serving as teachers, starting businesses or volunteering in their communities.“Vets that come home don’t sit on their laurels,” he said. Since his primary role now is to see that veterans get the benefits they earned while serving, Penn said there are about 500 veterans currently in Cleveland County and about 9,000 in the surrounding eight-county region. He said the Veterans Administration remits about $7.3 millions to veterans in Cleveland County, and about $150 for the region as a whole.Penn praised the effort in Cleveland County to recognize its veterans, and also complimented Greg Herron, a former veteran wh...
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.