Veterans were honored last week by Equity Bank in Berryville for their service to our country, in advance of Memorial Day.
On Friday, May 19, Equity Bank hosted its latest quarterly ceremony where the bank honors area veterans, in partnership with RECON VI.
RECON VI is a local veterans support group that offers outreach services across the Ozarks. The bank had previously hosted its first such ceremony in February.
Veterans and their families, as well as local citizens, were invited to take part and enjoy lunch served by bank staff.
Veterans from Carroll County who were honored included Michael Boseman, Rick Richards, Terra Fairweather, Bobby Neal and Mark Golaway.
Before the awards were presented, a “Missing Man” ceremony for service members MIA (Missing In Action) was conducted by American Legion Honor Guard members Ferguson Stewart and Chuck Welch.
Vince Eastwood, president of RECON VI, expressed gratitude at being able to publicly recognize Carroll County veterans again.
“I’m honored that Equity Bank contacted me to partner with RECON VI and that they want to give our local veterans recognition, because a lot of veterans don’t get it,” he said. “I think it’s important now that for every generation of the military that we do recognize them.”
Mark Golaway, who served a long career as a military chaplain, said the ceremony was a vital way to say ‘thank you’ to anyone who ever wore the uniform to serve their country.
“This is an incredible gift from our community, through Equity Bank and through RECON VI, that they recognize so many of the men and women in Carroll County who have served over the years, and to recognize the veterans one by one. This award is not for me; it’s for all of us who have served.”
“We’re pleased to be partners with Vince and RECON VI in this effort and we’re looking forward to our next event in the third quarter of this year,” said Craig Kesner, president of the Equity Bank Berryville branch.
Kesner added that this coming Memorial Day, RECON VI and Equity Bank will present awards honoring five veterans at a local nursing home in Berryville for their past military service. Table Rock Quilts of Honor will donate handmade quilts created by local volunteers to the veterans as well, Kesner said.
