Military historian Jeremy Amick gave the keynote address at a Sunday ceremony marking 100 years of service from the Army's warrant officers.
Audience members packed the first floor of the Capitol Rotunda, and several dozen guard members peered down from the second floor.
"Veterans, share your stories," Amick urged. "Describe the benefits of your experiences. In return, you will receive something that is truly prosperous: a deep and abiding respect for the sacrifices you have made."
Amick, a veteran of the Missouri National Guard, is the public affairs officer with Silver Star Families of America, a Missouri organization that recognizes the services of veterans wounded or injured in combat zones.
"Respect is what continues to build our nation and makes it strong," Amick said. "And today I will leave our aspiring warrant officers, warrant officer candidates and those who have since retired, with one thing on their 100th birthday celebration: My respect."
Although the event was held Sunday, today marks the 100th anniversary of the Army Warrant Officer cohort. They're known as the Army's "quite professionals."
Throughout the country, the U.S. Army is holding various celebrations in honor of the anniversary. The Warrant Officer Centennial Ball was held Saturday evening in Arlington, Virginia.
Warrant officers are highly specialized experts and trainers in their career fields.
"Through progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training and education, the warrant officer administers, manages, maintains, operates and integrates Army systems and equipment across the full spectrum of Army operations," according to the event's program guide.
At the event, Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, said warrant officers are the Army's "premier collection of quite professionals. It would be impossible to measure the expertise assembled in this Rotunda today."
He said that he has pushed to add additional opportunities for warrant officers in the Guard.
"I'm just amazed at what our warrant officers have accomplished both as groups and as individuals," he said.
Danner said Gov. Mike Parson named July the "Month of the Warrant Officer."
The ceremony recognized several individuals, including Warrant Officer Emmett Karnes, longtime band leader for the 110th Engineers Band.
Danner and others participated in the ceremonial cutting of the warrant officer birthday cake, followed by a performance from the Missouri Army National Guard's 135th Army Band, which played "The Army Song."
A reception with cake and punch followed the ceremony on the third floor of the Capitol Rotunda.