Commentary—Support Our Troops Amplifies Memorial Day
One day a year—this one—we take time to remember the men and women who gave their lives so we can live ours. On Memorial Day, we honor not just their sacrifices but the sacrifices of those who loved them, the folks who called them moms or dads or husbands or wives, or simply friends who dearly wish still walked among us.
By celebrating active and retired armed services veterans with a day on the water, the annual Support Our Troops Poker Run honors those who perished in the line of duty. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Jeff Helmkamp Photos
Take nothing away from Memorial Day, it’s a sacred holiday. But we also honor our fallen veterans by caring for those, active or retired, who are still alive. In short, we honor the dead by celebrating the living.
And for performance boat enthusiasts at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, that often translates to participating in the Support Our Troops Poker Run. The 17th annual event, which in addition to providing a day on the water for military service people raises fund for the nonprofit H.E.R.O.E.S Care organization, is set for Friday, June 21.
Though Big Thunder Marine produces the Support Our Troops event, dealership general manager Jeremy Anderson never fails to emphasizes that it is a true community happening.
The Support Our Troops Poker Run will celebrate its 17th anniversary next month.
“Everyone at the lake comes together for Support Our Troops,” Anderson explained in the last speedonthewater.com article covering the event. “We cover a lot of the ancillary expenses so that all of the money raised can go right to the troops and we have been happy to pick up that torch, but it takes a lot people to make it happen.”
Reached via text message yesterday, Anderson described “seeing the faces of the troops and talking to them ‘after the run’ as the most personally enjoyable and memorable element of the annual event.
“The stories and the smiles are unforgettable,” he said. “They remind us that this event is all about them.”
Want to pay homage to our fallen veterans on this fine day of remembrance? Honor the living.
And just perhaps, sign up for the Support Our Troops Poker Run.
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