Area Veterans Celebrated, Thanked at 24th Annual Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

'The greatest thing they could do for the veterans.'

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (11/12/2026) — Mickey Vaughn remembers when he couldn't get any respect because he was in the Army.

One day in the 1950s, he was in a Sears, Roebuck and Co. store in Louisville, Kentucky, when two Allstate Insurance salesmen refused to wait on him because he was in his uniform.

"They didn't even want to talk to me," said Vaughn.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, a lot of people wanted to talk to Vaughn, including more than two dozen Lindsey Wilson University students and employees who served him and about 164 other guests of the university's 24th annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at VFW Post 6097.

Vaughn, 92, lives in Green County, Kentucky, and he's attended the Lindsey Wilson Veterans Appreciation Luncheon for "quite a few years." He said he appreciates how welcoming everyone is at the luncheon -- quite a contrast from when he returned from the Korean War.

"When we came out of the Korean War, people could care less," said Vaughn.

Marine veteran Tom Ollestad of Adair County reckoned that he has attended the luncheon for "15 to 20 years."

He said the luncheon "is the best thing in the world."

"I love it," said Ollestad, who was in the Vietnam War. "I think it was the greatest thing they could do for the veterans because everybody here has been through the same thing. You feel like your brothers are here."

Ollestad said the annual luncheon especially means a lot to veterans of the Vietnam War "because when we came back, we got treated like crap."

"Now everybody is just so nice," he said.

250 years and counting

Lindsey Wilson Dean of Students Chris Schmidt, who emceed the event, reminded the veterans and their guests that this year's Veterans Day coincided with America's 250th birthday. And three branches of the U.S. armed forces -- Army, Marines and Navy -- were founded before the country.

Schmidt noted that America's birth "came at a terrible, terrible price."

"It was bought through the commitment and sacrifice of individuals who took oaths to fight for the idea and the dream of what this country could be," he said. "Today, we celebrate not just all of you, but over 250 years of veterans who served this great country. Every day is about our veterans, and the commitment that you made to serve this country is forever."

Schmidt also thanked the VFW Post 6097 members for recently establishing the VFW Post 6097 Endowed Scholarship at Lindsey Wilson.

"We are all grateful for the example that you set for this community every day," he said. "The future of education, the future of this community, the future of this county and surrounding counties will continue to grow because of you."

In addition to Schmidt's remarks, the veterans and guests were serenaded by eight members of the Lindsey Wilson Singers under the direction of music professor Jennifer Bersaglia. They concluded their brief lunchtime concert with an enthusiastic sing-along of the "Armed Forces Medley."

The veterans also heard from members of the 86-year-old Jane Lampton Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition to delivering 10 gift baskets to veterans in area nursing homes, the DAR chapter raffled a gift basket to one of the luncheon's guests.

Members of the Joyful Hearts Quilt Guild gave 17 quilts to luncheon guests, then raffled a handmade quilt with an American 250 theme to raise funds to make more quilts to give away at next year's luncheon, "hopefully enough money to make more quilts than we made this year," said guild president Townya Ritzie.

Lessons for students

For the nearly two dozen Lindsey Wilson students who assisted the university's staff with the luncheon, the day was an opportunity to learn a little U.S. history while showing their thanks to the men and women who helped make it. The student volunteers came from the university's Student Government Association, Bonner Scholars Program and residence life.

"It gives our students an opportunity to interact with our community -- especially people who have served their country and show them that they appreciate what they have done for us," said LWU Assistant Director of Bonner Scholars Jay Woodall '27 of Science Hill, Kentucky.

For Bonner Scholar Adelyn Bennett '29 of Columbia, the military has always played an important role in her family.

"I grew up in a family that was full of veterans -- I had family in the Army and the Marines," said Bennett. "I grew up being very appreciative of our military. It's always been very important to me to honor our veterans and give back to them as much as we can."

That's also what attracted student Katherine Lemmon '30 of Knifley to help out at the event, which included giving the invocation. Lemmon's grandfather Michael Lemmon served in the Army.

"I grew up hearing stories he told us, and I just really thought it was cool," said Lemmon, who is a Bonner Scholar and elementary education major. "It made me realize just how much the veterans put into our country. They gave so much of themselves, and I think that needs to be recognized. We should give something back to them."

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