Hopkins County Freedom Ball supports veteran services

Hopkins County Freedom Ball supports veteran services Image

• Jason Waldon and the Alibis kept the audience at the 2024 Hopkins County Freedom Ball entertained with Country and Western tunes throughout Saturday evening, May 18. The Freedom Ball recognizes veterans and service members while raising funds to benefit veterans programs, such as outfitting a handicap van to help veterans get to and from medical visits. Staff Photo by Tammy Vinson

Tammy Vinson Thu, 05/23/2024 - 15:32 Subhead | Veterans Body

At Saturday’s 2024 Hopkins County Freedom Ball, veterans were honored and thanked for their sacrifices in serving both the United States and their fellow citizens.

Veteran of the Year

Gerald Heard, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam era, was named Veteran of the Year. Heard is the current commander of the Hopkins County Military Coalition.

“I was shocked when my name was called,” Heard said of his award. “I was just honored — and privileged.”

Heard served in the Army from 1966 to 1968. He completed basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was a member of the First Air Cavalry unit, and achieved the rank of E-5 Sergeant.

Heard and his unit were headquartered at Honkai and spent some time at Pleiku, a city in the northeastern part of Vietnam.

Heard described his trip home from Vietnam, saying he was asked to wear civilian clothes instead of his military uniform. He didn’t understand until he arrived stateside and saw how other returning servicemen were treated by anti-war protesters.

“Then, I understood,” he said. “It was nice to be home and to be appreciated by my family. Not everyone got that same treatment.”

After returning stateside, Heard spent some time at Fort Hood, before leaving the military.

As part of the Hopkins County Military Coalition, Heard and his fellow service members provide military rites at local veterans’ funerals.

“It’s an honor to do it,” Heard said. 'The families are so appreciative, and it gives them closure.”

Fundraising

Two items were auctioned during the Freedom Ball.

The first auction item was a quilt made by Hopkins County 4-H members. The youth made a total of eight quilts for the Quilts of Valor program.

Quilts of Valor volunteers of all ages make quilts, which are then gifted to military veterans and servicemembers. One of Hopkins County 4-H's eight quilts was made for auction during the Freedom Ball. It sold for $2,500 to Walt Gamblin. The seven remaining quilts will be given to local veterans on Veterans’ Day in November.

The second item auctioned during the Freedom Ball was an original painting by local artist Josie Butler, who completed the piece during the event.

Butler said she was honored to participate, because two of her grandparents were military veterans. Butler’s painting sold for $1,700, with Walt Gamblin again making the winning bid.

Memorial Gift

Hopkins County Veteran Services Officer Danny Davis, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, was gifted a modified replica of the metal bench that travels with the “Wall that Heals” exhibit. Freedom Ball Committee member Mandy Kennedy presented the bench to Davis, who was visibly moved.

”I’m here tonight to present an award recognizing the courage and personal sacrifice of an individual that has demonstrated the character of a servant leader for the last three years.,' said Kennedy. 'Danny Davis, tonight in grateful appreciation for your service to this community of veterans, and in memory of Joe Dan Kennedy [Kennedy’s husband, who passed away Nov. 1, 2023], it is my honor to present you with this replica of the bench that graced the field when The Wall That Heals came to Hopkins County.”

The bench was created by Sulphur Springs FFA students under the direction of Sulphur Springs High School ag teacher Spencer Clark.