Columbia College - Lake of the Ozarks thanks those who have served our country

In recognition of Veterans Day 2012, faculty, staff, students and the Lake community were all asked to send notes of support and thanks to those have served or are currently serving our country. Below are some of the outstanding posts that have been submitted so far. The notes will be on display around the Lake campus through the end of November, so feel free to submit your note of appreciation to sfleury@ccis.edu!

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“I want to tell all Veterans Thanks and let them know how much they are appreciated EVERY day of the year. Your service to our Country is an honor that you well deserve and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. I applaud each of you LOUDLY!”

Cathy Whitfield - 1993 alumnae

Assistant Director

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“May God bless our Military and our Veterans for their unwavering service and dedication to our country!”

Vanessa Hebrank

Administrative Assistant - Nursing Department

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“Thanks to all that have served our country in any branch of the military and thanks to their families also. This is also a good time to say thank you to those who serve as police officers, firemen, Ambulance personnel, etc.”

Frances Ray

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Student

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“14 month tour of Viet Nam attached to HAL - 3 an attack helicopter squadron that flew missions in the Delta area of South Viet Nam in conjunction with River Patrol Boats and the Seals.”

Kenneth W. Gray

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1967 to 1971

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“Thank you to all who have served, and continue to serve. God bless all who survived the storms, and those who did not make it back. You are the true standard bearers for honor, courage, and the American Spirit in a world in desperate need for real heroes. Because of you, we can study in our classrooms and pursue our life's dreams in peace and security. Thank you.”

Clint Schafnit

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Student

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“Roger Nolan. E-4 Fuels Specialist. Served two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. New Student to Columbia College. Thank you for all that you do for our country and for our freedom. God Bless”

Jessica Kopp

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Student

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“I would like to say ‘THANK YOU’ to all of our service members and their families. No words can truly describe what they have done for us or the sacrifices they have made.

Rona Prater – 2011 alumnae

Academic Advisor

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“These men and women are truly amazing...words can't express my gratitude for the sacrifice they have made in creating a land that my daughter and the rest of us can remain free and safe. I tip my hat to all of those that have served or that are currently serving, you all are an inspiration to many!”

Maggie Brenizer

L*O Profile Magazine

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“Ever so grateful for those who have served and those who are serving. Thank you for your time and service to our great Country, God Bless each and every one of you...”

Rebecca Green

Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau

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“Thank you for" Protecting our Country and keeping us safe" Thank you today and always. "God Bless"

Kathryn Genn

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Student

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“Thank you for carrying the Torch of Liberty! For your oath to preserve The Constitution; For your willingness, if need be, to lay down your life for your country; and for protecting our freedom!”

Robert Henderson - 2011 alumni

Nurse – University of Missouri Hospital

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“A BIIIIG shout out to all of our veterans and current service members! Thank you for your service and all you have done to help keep our country, our families and our friends safe!”

Courtney Lauer Myers – 2011 alumnae

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“This goes out to my neighbor when I lived in Eldon, Dick Bennett, who is a WWII veteran and one of the nicest and humblest people you'd ever want to meet. Thank you to Dick and all military veterans who did their duty to keep America safe and protect our freedoms, and thank you to all active service members who are looking out for America's interests around the world. We want you on that wall!”

Jeff Burkhead

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“Thank you Veterans!”

Kimberly Kliegel

Columbia College Athletics

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“Thank you, veterans! Continually humbled by your service and sacrifice.”

Laura Daugherty

Novelist

Columbia College Alumni Relations Coordinator

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“‘As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.’-John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Awesome, quote and so true! No words can sincerely express how grateful I am for all you have done! We take for granted the freedom we have and I just wanted to thank you for serving and protecting us on a daily basis!”

Kayla Little

Administrative Assistant – Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks/Student

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“Thank you, past, present and future vets. We owe it all to you.”

Gary L. Smith

Smith Law Firm

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“A sincere message of gratitude goes out to all of our military personnel - past and present. You cannot be recognized enough for your selfless service and sacrifice in protecting the land and people of this beautiful nation!”

Melissa Carroll – 2003 Alumnae, Jefferson City Campus

Lake Media

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“The Veteran is the most important person in the Hospital.
The Veteran is not dependent upon us, we are dependent upon him.
The Veteran is not an interruption in our work, he is the purpose of it.
The Veteran is not an outsider to our business, he is our business.
The Veteran is a person and not a statistic.
He has feelings, emotions, biases and wants.
It is our business to meet these needs.
The American Veteran is God’s gift to us. Freedom is his gift to the World.”

~Terry Richards

Submitted by Erin Cross

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“I had the opportunity to go to Normandy and see the beaches where the invasion took place. During my visit I found my Great Uncles grave at the American cemetery at St. James. Seeing the actual beachhead and standing on the jagged cliffs overlooking the beach I am amazed at the bravery it took to move inland. You read the accounts from history and see the movies such as saving Private Ryan but actually seeing the harshness of the landscape itself and the bunkers gave me a new respect for what they did. I am very grateful to the men and women who served in our military that fight everyday with that same spirit as those that landed at Normandy. The strength of our Republic is the ideal of liberty for all free men. I know for a fact that so long as America maintains the ideal of liberty and freedom we will always have those men and women that stand in the gap to do their part to make sure that we stay the land of the free and the home of the brave. As such, I offer my sincere thanks to all that served especially to those who paid the ultimate price that I may live as a free man.”

John Lavanchy – 2010 Alumni

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“I thank all military men and women from past, present and future. God bless.”

Debra Ramasour

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Student

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“Our military forces have protected the nation and our freedoms for over 200 years. God bless those serving today, our veterans, and all their families.”

Dr. John Keeney

Director of Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Campus

Army Engineer - Vietnam 1970-1971

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“Thank you to all our men and women that have fought the fight for freedom. God Bless the U.S.A.!”

John Caran

KRCG-TV

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“An honor to praise all those Vets that have served to save our freedoms ... too many are blasé … Ten years of almost daily deaths ... far too many. DO NOT FORGET THOSE THAT DIED FOR YOU.”

Wayne Marlow

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“I just wanted to thank all the veterans for my freedom. Without great people like you are Country would not be such a great place to live in. I would like to honor your family for being a part of it too. Have a great Veterans Day!”

Judy Wall

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“Thanks to everyone who has served in the military. Freedom isn't free.”

Bea Porter

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“Thank you to all service men and woman for securing our freedom!”

Ann Fleury – 2004 Alumnae

Columbia College Evening Campus

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“I want to give a shout out to all of our veterans. You are appreciated more than you will ever know. Because of your sacrifice, everyone had an opportunity to vote on Nov. 6th. I hope I never take that privilege for granted. Thanks to all of you!”

Thelma Arthur – 2005 Alumnae

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

Senior Academic Advisor

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“The fact that Americans take their freedom for granted so often is a testament to success of Veterans as they sacrifice and dedicate their time and lives every day ensuring our liberty. God bless them and those that came before them.”

Kyle Blomenkamp

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“Our veterans are the reason we had the opportunity to vote on October 6. Without them, there would be no "We the people". Their service and sacrifice are the sole reason we live in the greatest country in the word. Thank you to all who have served past and present. If you know a veteran, take a moment out of your busy day to give them a call, buy them lunch, or simply shake thier hand and say "Thanks."

Professor Jim Pasley – 1987 Alumni

History Instructor

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“It's an honor to honor those serving our country. Also, a huge thank you to my grandfathers, father, father-in-law, uncles and son along with students and friends who have served to keep our nation free!”

Lynne Fleury

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“I just want to thank all our veterans and their families. It is your sacrifice and service that have given us the freedoms we enjoy in this country.”

Karon Simpson – 2003 Alumnae

Administrative Assistant for Student Accounts/Veteran Services

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“Words aren't enough but a very sincere thanks to all those who fight for us every day making the ultimate sacrifice.”

Michelle Langan Cook

Lake Printing

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“To all the veterans, thank you for your service and dedication to us. Thank you for protecting our country and for your sacrifice. God Bless you all!”

Shayla Viele – 2010 Alumnae

Academic Advisor

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks

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“Thank you to all of our veterans who have served this great nation with courage and dedication. As a veteran, there is no greater honor than to serve our nation and fight to protect liberty!”

Nick Fleury - E-6, Technical Sergeant

California Air National Guard ______________________________________________________________________________________________

“Thank you to all of the men and women who serve our country! Words cannot express how much we appreciate your courage! God Bless all of our past present and future veterans!”

Erin Fleury

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“Thanks seems so inadequate, but I'll say it anyway. Thank you to all who presently serve, as well as those who have served in the past, to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy every day. Special thanks to my nephew, Ryan Knerl. May God watch over and protect each and every one of you!”

Bonnie Knerl

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“To All Veterans,

I would like to thank all veterans and their families for their sacrifice of family time while our heroes served to protect our country. I have been in other countries and have seen how people can be suppressed and not valued by their government. I have seen how corrupted leaders both locally and nationally will provide a service of protection based only by a person’s wealth and ability to buy their safety. I have seen grown women hugging the legs of a police officers begging for mercy when they had no money to offer when accused of a traffic violations. When I hear a patriotic song, I reflect on these memories and realize how fortunate we are to live in American and how much we should value our servicemen and women. Again, I will always be appreciative of your service to protect all the rights that we just take for granted. Thank you again for these treasured gifts of freedom.”

Lyle Sybert

Education Coordinator Advisor

Columbia College-Lake of the Ozarks

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“To all of the amazing service men & women serving our country today...in the past and those in the future...

For all that you are & all that you do...THANK YOU!”

Rebecca Brazil

Columbia College – Lake of the Ozarks Student

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“A tribute of thanks to our brave men & women; sworn to protect…

Off To War
By: Ellen Bailey

Many of our love ones are off to war
They leave us behind for distance shores
They seek out our enemies to even the score
But some of them we may never see once more

We give them our thanks and pray each day
For God to watch over them while they are away
We know they will do their duty, for they are brave
To fight those who would make of us their slave

It is the Armed Forces who fight to keep us free
For they are willing to die for you and me
They will do their duty until victory is achieved
Only then will they be allowed to grieve

They are my heroes, so young, so brave and true
Fighting to protect our flag, the red, white and blue
It is through them, the American Spirit is renewed
And recognition for their sacrifices is long overdue”