A free event honoring military veterans at Memorial Park on Sunday by offering them food, beer, live music and games.
But many veterans at the event said the best part was being able to connect with each other and knowing the community supports them.
Veterans Appreciation in the Park drew about 300 by mid-afternoon on Sunday, and organizers said they hope to make it an annual event. It was hosted by the Jefferson City Veterans Council and Samuel F. Gearhart Detachment, Marine Corps League.
Harvey Bates, whose military career spanned from Vietnam to Iraq, said fewer than half a percent of the population now serve in the military. Those who do consider themselves part of a brotherhood, he said.
"I turned 59 in Iraq, but I wouldn't trade it for anything," he said, adding he has a son and daughter who followed in his footsteps by enlisting.
The event, he said, "means a lot," and gave him an opportunity to talk to other veterans.
Organizers handed out certificates of appreciation to veterans and served hot dogs, chips and drinks while live music played.
Vince Rost, commander of American Legion Post 5, came up with the idea to hold the event. He said organizers planned a free event with a family atmosphere where veterans could intermingle with each other and inform them about services available to them.
"It's just basically to show support in the community for veterans," he said.
"There's a certain set of values that surround service to our community, state and nation, and we need to support that in any way we possibly can," Rost said. Failing to do so, he said, means "we're not putting our money where our mouth is."
Don Hentges, president of the Jefferson City Veterans Council, is a Vietnam veteran. He said many veterans didn't get much appreciation when they returned from duty. Events like this help in that respect, he said.
When Hentges was injured in Vietnam, a good friend, Willie McVea, was killed. He pledged to McVea he would never be forgotten.
"My mission in life is to make sure those kind of guys are never forgotten, and I think by having these kind of functions" we can do that.
Bill Plate, who served in the Marines for a decade, now sometimes rides motorcycles with members of the local detachment of the Marine Corps League. He watched his sons hit baseballs in a batting cage at the event.
"With the way things are these days, America's climate, people forget there are veterans who died, who gave the sacrifice so they have the freedoms to where they can go out and protest and disagree with the government and try to make changes to it."
He said some of the veterans are still suffering from physical or emotional pain. "So when you get thanked by the community, it's always a good thing to come out."