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Fellowship, Gratitude and Goodwill Shared at 23rd Annual Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

'It's one of the finest veterans events I've been to in my life.'

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (11/12/2025) — There was plenty to eat at this year's Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon.

The university's dining and catering services prepared a buffet meal of baked chicken, roast beef, salad, vegetables and rolls, and the Columbia Walmart Supercenter donated two full-size sheet cakes that each measured 18-by-26 inches and were covered in red, white and blue icing.

But the quantity of food made available to area veterans and their spouses on Veterans Day 2025 was much less important than the quality of fellowship, gratitude and goodwill that flowed through VFW Post 6097 on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

It was the 23rd consecutive year Lindsey Wilson has sponsored the free event for the region's veterans and their spouses, and this year's luncheon attracted more than 180 area residents.

"It's one of the finest veterans events I've been to in my life," said William Nogar of Columbia, who served in the Air Force from 1956-86.

Nogar has attended the 22 luncheons Lindsey Wilson held (because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 luncheon was replaced by the delivery of food boxes), and "I've been in uniform every time."

Ron Burton of Russell Springs, Kentucky, said that he and his wife, Judy, have nearly attended every luncheon as well.

"I really don't know how to explain it. It's a nice thing," said Burton, who served in the Army from 1965-67. "I really appreciate that Lindsey Wilson recognizes our veterans."

Serving veterans

Nearly two dozen LWU students, staff and faculty showed extra appreciation by serving drinks and dessert at this year's luncheon.

LWU Women's Resident Director Madison Duvall '24 said she has served at five of the events out of a strong sense of duty to the men and women who served in her country's armed forces.

"I really believe in this," said Duvall, who also worked on the outreach team with Honor Flight Kentucky, a nonprofit organization that flies World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans to the national monuments in Washington, D.C. "Coming to this has totally warmed my heart because we can never fully understand what these people have given."

As he served drinks at his first LWU Veterans Appreciation Luncheon student Trevor Huff '29 of Bowling Green, Kentucky, expressed a similar sentiment.

"I just really appreciate the veterans for risking their lives so that our country can remain free," said Huff, who had an uncle and fraternal grandfather serve in the military.

Army veteran Dick Scholl of Adair County said that attitude "just makes me feel special as a Vietnam veteran."

"It means everything," said Scholl, who served in the Army from 1969-71.

Parking signs and quilts

And veterans mean everything to Lindsey Wilson.

"The university is always committed to supporting veterans," said Dean of Students Chris Schmidt, who served as emcee of the luncheon, which included a performance by the LWU Handbell Ensemble. "Every day is about our veterans and the commitment that you made to serve our country. You deserve more than one day; 365 days is what we should do to honor our veterans."

As a symbol of its year-round commitment to veterans, Schmidt showed one of the half-dozen campus parking signs reserving a spot for veterans the university has purchased through the Reserved Veteran Parking Initiative.

For nearly the last decade, members of the Joyful Hearts Quilt Guild of Columbia have made quilts for the veterans who attend the annual luncheon. Members made 30 quilts for this year's luncheon, which were distributed through a special drawing. Since starting the initiative in 2017, the group has made 117 quilts, according to guild member Kathy Jones.

"I was the instigator of this," said Jones. "I read something in the paper about it. So I got us to take it up. We enjoy it."

Steve Anderson of Breeding, who attended his first LWU Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, was one of the 30 recipients of a quilt this year. Anderson won the quilt the day after his birthday, which was also the birthday of the Marine Corps.

Anderson, who served in the Marine Corps from 2001-21 and is senior vice commander of the VFW post, said he is especially pleased with the support for Vietnam War veterans.

"It's great how things have turned around, and we can do things to the Vietnam veterans now," he said. "I've always had support. But if you look at what happened to the Vietnam veterans, they came back to a different time."

Fellow Marine Krystal Redmon '08, who served from 2005-09, said the annual event is a great opportunity to show her gratitude and appreciation. Redmon first attended the luncheon with her late grandfather Melvin Bailey, who was an Army veteran.

"I'm always making sure I thank those who came before me," said Redmon, who teaches world history at Adair County High School and is cadet corps instructor of the school's Army Junior ROTC.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

More than 180 area residents attended the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097.

William Nogar of Columbia, who served in the Air Force from 1956-86, was one of 30 veterans who received a quilt made and donated by the Joyful Hearts Quilt Guild of Columbia at the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097.

Members of the Joyful Hearts Quilt Guild of Columbia stand behind the 30 quilts they donated to veterans at the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097. From left: Irene Harmon, Jen DiGirolamo, Kathy Carter, Debbie Slatterly, Sharon Bledsoe, Suzette White, Debbie Murray, Louise Alessi, Alice Hadley and Kathy Jones. Not pictured: Townya Ritzie, president; Brenda Napper, secretary; Margie Leach; Jamie Gatz; Annette Parr; and Paula Bault, donor.

Lindsey Wilson University Dean of Students Chris Schmidt displays one of the six veterans parking signs that will be displayed on the Lindsey Wilson campus at the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097.

Steve Anderson of Breeding, who served in the Marine Corps from 2000-21, was one of 30 veterans who received a quilt made and donated by the Joyful Hearts Quilt Guild of Columbia at the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson University Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097.

Lindsey Wilson University Dean of Students Chris Schmidt, right, is greeted by Russell Lunsford ’70, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6097, at the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097.

Lindsey Wilson University music professor Gerald Chafin directs the LWU Handbell Ensemble at the 23rd annual Lindsey Wilson Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at VFW Post 6097.

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