Military retirees and veterans honored at Chillicothe armory

Family Readiness Group volunteers, Kelsey Graves and Mandi Pankau, serve breakfast to area veterans, military retirees and current Soldiers with Battery B, 1-129th Field Artillery. The group reaches out and supports the Soldiers at the Chillicothe armory along with their Families. (Submitted Photo)

By Jennifer Archdekin
ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. - The Chillicothe armory recently opened its doors to local National Guard retirees and military veterans for a special breakfast to honor their service during the unit's October drill weekend.

The breakfast allowed current Citizen-Soldiers the opportunity to reconnect with former Soldiers from Battery B, 1-129th Field Artillery, as well as those who served in other branches of the military. Veterans came in for the event and swapped stories comparing the military of today with the military of yesteryear.

"It also allows our Soldiers to learn from the experience of the veterans' service," said Capt. Ryan Jennings, battery commander. "Since many of our Soldiers are veterans too, it gave each generation a chance to pass on some war stories. Despite all the equipment updates, the experience of serving our country has remained the same."

Members of the unit's Family Readiness Group planned and prepared the breakfast. The support group goes out of their way to not only support current Soldiers of the unit along with their Family members, but also recognizes military veterans with various events throughout the year.

Jennings said they plan to start having these breakfasts quarterly and hope more veterans will attend.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites:
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During a recent breakfast honoring military retirees and veterans, Soldiers with Battery B, 1-129th Field Artillery took advantage of the opportunity to swap stories and get to know those who also served their country generations before them. Members of the Family Readiness Group provided the meal at the Chillicothe armory. (Submitted Photo)