It was a morning of announcements, awards and action at the Eagle Ambassadors Breakfast Wednesday morning, hosted by the Christian County Military Affairs Committee.
But following an announcement at that breakfast, they will now be known as the South Western Kentucky Military Affairs Committee, serving a—as of right now—five county region made up of Christian, Todd, Trigg, Caldwell and Hopkins counties. MAC Executive Director Shannon Lane says it just makes sense for these counties to come together and support our local soldiers.
The MAC also took time to recognize a table full of Gold Star Families, presenting each of them with three roses; one white, one yellow and one red. The keynote speaker of the event, Brigadier General Travis McIntosh, says their hearts live with those families, all of whom have lost someone in the line of duty and to the ultimate sacrifice, and they will never forget their loss.
McIntosh spoke from the heart, thanking this community for the dedication and support they provide the soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell, saying this community constantly shows why so many soldiers settle here after leaving the armed forces.
He says Fort Campbell is shaping the future of the Armed Forces, and its thanks to the support of their surrounding communities that they’re able to do that.
McIntosh says its about more than just a thank you on Veterans Day or American flags on the poles—it’s about putting action in place of words and getting things done. He made the example of when the Fort Campbell athletics almost came to a complete stop during the government shutdown in October, but this community pushed for that not to happen—so it didn’t.
Several awards were handed out at the breakfast, including the Outstanding Ambassador of the Year Award, which was presented to Heather Shoemake and the MAC Service Award went to Fortera Credit Union. Then, the Soaring Eagle Award was presented to Wicked Kolors, Inc. which played a huge role in updating the Gander Memorial in Hopkinsville and other projects across the region.
Isaiah Pride with Wicked Kolors says he was humbled to receive this recognition, but says he’s amazed by the passion and supportiveness that MAC always shows up with.
The Chairman’s Award, presented by MAC Board Chair Phillip Eastman, went to Executive Director Shannon Lane himself.
The Military Affairs Committee participated in nearly 200 different events over the last year, from welcome home ceremonies, pancake breakfasts, food drives, resources fairs and much, much more, showing Fort Campbell and those soldiers who call it home, just how valued they are in this region.
