Cletus Evers, his wife and two daughters stood together proudly as they honored servicemen and women of the past and present Friday during the Veterans Tribute at Jefferson City's Freedom Corner.
"My daughter's birthday is on Veterans Day, and she's a veteran's baby," Evers said. "For us, this is about family, spending time together and among other veterans."
Evers and his daughters were dressed in military uniforms, celebrating his service to the U.S. Navy from 1980-95.
Evers said honor, respect and service were themes captured throughout Friday's tribute.
Members of the Calvary Lutheran High School mixed ensemble kicked off the program, singing the national anthem. Students from several area schools including Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Lewis and Clark Middle School, East Elementary, Helias High School and Lincoln University also attended.
Col. Shawn Satterfield, executive director for the Missouri Highway Patrol's Criminal Division, assured the crowd the future of the country is in good hands.
"It's impressive to see the new generation being so enthusiastic with participating in honoring our veterans," Satterfield said. "I assure you that your duty, honor and service legacy is in magnificent hands and will continue forward."
He noted how opportunities for online college classes have enhanced soldiers' ability to become more educated and adaptive during their service.
"The amount of resilience, education and the techno-savvy they have is extremely remarkable," Satterfield said. "Almost every senior enlisted soldier I know now has a college degree."
Jacob Cenglenski, a senior at Helias, said he plans to enlist in the military and has been preparing by engaging in service-based opportunities as an Eagle Scout. A core requirement for any Eagle Scout is to complete a board-approved service project by his 18th birthday.
After four proposals were rejected, he finally was approved last summer to construct a 12-panel display, commemorating the 100th anniversary of United States' involvement in World War I, Cenglenski said. The exhibit will be on display at Brew House Coffee, 1507 E. McCarty St. in Jefferson City, over Veterans Day weekend and is open for public viewing at the Museum of Missouri Military History, 2405 Logistics Road.
Originally, the display was supposed to be only four panels, but Cenglenski said he quickly realized there would be key points of history left out. The project took him 139 hours over the summer to complete.
"I made this project because I love our community and our veterans," Cenglenski said.
A'darion Dillard, platoon leader and senior history major at Lincoln University, is another future serviceman who said he has embraced the duty that comes with serving his country.
Upon graduation in May, Dillard will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
He credited his grandfather, Pvt. Tony Jones of the U.S. Marine Corps, as his inspiration for enlisting in the military.
"At times of uncertainty and fear, I must remember that it is common among all soldiers to feel fear, but we count on each other for motivation and courage," Dillard said. "I chose to dedicate my life to service - not because it's an easy task - because I feel it is my responsibility to be a selfless citizen to give back the opportunities and rights our nation grants us."