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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story and photos by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Kentucky National Guard Spec. Cheyenne Jennings sang the national anthem at the opening ceremonies at Keeneland’s Military Appreciation Day on October 21, 2012. (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
LEXINGTON, Ky-Military families from all services attended the Military Appreciation Day at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington on October 21, 2012.
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“We are extremely grateful to the staff here at Keeneland for giving their time and effort to make this a special day for our military families,” said Kentucky National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Maggard from State Family Programs. “This is just another wonderful example of how Kentucky values its military community.”
The Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs set up a resource table to provide assistance to military families, plus conducted a kickoff to this year’s Operation Military Cheer, a drive to provide for the needs of military children and youth for the upcoming holiday season.
(Left to right) Col. Ben Adams, Army Chief of Staff, Kentucky National Guard and his wife. Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard; Keeneland’s bugler. Chief Warrant 5 Jim Simms, State Command Warrant Officer; and Mr. Bill Thomason, President of Keeneland race track. (Kentucky Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht)
The Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs set up a resource table to provide assistance to military families, plus conducted a kickoff to this year’s Operation Military Cheer, a drive to provide for the needs of military children and youth for the upcoming holiday season. (Kentucky Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht)
Keeneland Racetrack mascot “Buckles” makes friends with a young military family member during Military Appreciation Day. (Kentucky Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht)
By David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Keeneland Race Track mascot “Buckles” played host to Military Appreciation Day to celebrate Kentucky military families on April 22. (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, PAO, Kentucky National Guard)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Military families from all services are invited to attend Military Appreciation Day at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington this Sunday, October 21 from noon to 4 p.m.
“We are extremely grateful to the staff here at Keeneland for giving their time and effort to make this a special day for our military families,” said Kentucky National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Maggard from State Family Programs. “This is just another wonderful example of how Kentucky values its military community.”
The Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs will set up a resource table to provide assistance to military families, plus there will be a kickoff to this year’s Operation Military Cheer, a drive to provide for the needs of military children and youth for the upcoming holiday season.
Maggard wants to remind attendees to take advantage of the Military Kids Zone and a free lunch . Also, ceremonies will be held in the winner’s circle in honor of Wounded Warriors, deployed troops and the survivors of fallen service members.
“What better way for our military families to have fun than a day at the races,” said Maggard. “This is most definitely a new Kentucky tradition.”
Following is the day’s timeline of events:
12:00 p.m. Presentation of colors by the Eastern Kentucky University ROTC and the singing of the national anthem by the Kentucky Guard’s own Spc. Cheyenne Jennings in the Winner’s Circle.
Activities begin in the North Terrace – free lunch, music, children’s activities.
12:55 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of Wounded Warriors, just prior to Race 1.
1:26 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of families of the 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery just prior to Race 2.
1:57 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of Survivors of American Heroes, just prior to Race 3.
2:30 p.m. Winner’s Circle recognition of Service for Peace, just prior to Race 4.
4:00 p.m. Activities conclude in the North Terrace.
4:17 p.m. Post time for 7th race with horses wearing camouflaged saddle towels, followed by a presentation of trophy following race.
Staff report
Photos by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Surviving families of fallen service members attended Keeneland's Military Appreciation Day, April 22. (Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than 75 survivors from of fallen active duty and reserve component service members attended Military Appreciation Day at Keeneland Racetrack on Sunday 22 April, 2012.
Maj. Gen. Tonini, Kentucky's adjutant general, visits with surviving families of fallen service member attending Keeneland's Military Appreciation Day, Sunday 22 April. (Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
Sponsored by Keeneland Racetrack and coordinated by the Kentucky National Guard’s Survivor Outreach Services, the day included free admission, family activities and a buffet lunch.
The highlight of the day was being recognized in the winner’s circle.
“This was an outstanding gathering for our survivors of American heroes” said Mark Grant, SOS coordinator. “The folks at Keeneland opened their doors and their hearts to this great families and showed them what Kentucky hospitality is all about.”
Survivor Outreach Services is an Army-wide program designed to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to survivors of deceased Soldiers. Members from across the Commonwealth and surrounding states took part in the day’s festivities.
“It was an honor to be part of such a great event” said David Orange, SOS coordinator. “We can never repay these survivors for the loss of their loved ones, but we can surely show them how much we care and that their sacrifices have not been forgotten.”
To find out more about Survivor Outreach Services contact:
Mark Grant, 502-413-4172 or email him at john.grant7@us.army.mil
David Orange, 502-607-1099 or e-mail him at david.orange@us.army.mil
JAK
Staff Report
Members of the Kentucky National Guard participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Bike MS ride earlier this month. The cyclists completed the 150 mile course in two days. The team began at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on June 5, 2010 and finished the course at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Ky. June 6.
