The second annual Patriot Sunday featured a packed house of appreciative first responders who enjoyed a free chicken dinner along with their families.
Operation Bugle Boy and American Legion Post 5 teamed up to put on the event, which drew dozens of business and individual sponsors. They were prepared to feed 500 people a fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls as well as desserts and drinks.
"Operation Bugle Boy is a reflection of the community, and it's really kind of humbling," Operation Bugle Boy President Chris Jarboe said. "It's beautiful to see how much this community supports the people who risk putting their lives on the line to protect us."
Frank Cantone and Francy Runge, both with Cole County Emergency Medical Services, showed up to enjoy a meal and camaraderie. He said the event was "touching."
"EMS is a thankless job, and for a little bit of the community to support us means a lot to us," Cantone said.
As nearly a full house ate their dinners, Gary B and the Kools - a band made up of retired first responders - played live music.
"I wouldn't miss it," Bob Verslues said of the event. Verslues was a volunteer who had a 29-year career with the Jefferson City Police Department.
He said the event is a good way to honor those in the first responder positions that include law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. It's also a good way to educate the public as to what they do, and the importance of their jobs, he said.
"Today is a whole new ball game from when I started in '65. We didn't have the problems we have today," he said, adding that the drug problem was just starting around then.
One sponsor of the event was Sharon Naught of the Naught-Naught Insurance Agency. Her late brother served in the Navy, and she's always supported veterans and first responders.
"I kind of do this to honor him," she said. "These are the people who protect our freedoms. So if we can do anything for them, that's wonderful."
Jarboe said he hopes the event will continue.
"We plan on doing it every year the community wants us to do it," Jarboe said.