After the pledge of allegiance was said, then the presentation of a memorial wreath and a contingent of cadets presented the colors, the national anthem was sung . The welcoming speaker was County Judge Jerry Crane, a Vietnam War veteran himself, who said he was grateful to the many veterans who were in attendance, most on the front row. 

The keynote speech was given by newly re-elected state Senator Steven Crowell, who began his talk by recounting the occasion of America’s first peacetime draft in 1940, when the number 158 was drawn and 6,000 men with that registration number were required to serve at least one year in the military forces. 

Other speakers included Terrie James, Hempstead County Extension Agency Staff Chair, Hope Mayor Don Still, Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton. The invocation and closing prayer was said by Hempstead County Justice of the Peace Jessie Henry. 

During this year’s ceremony, veterans were presented with blankets from members of the Shover Springs EHC.

After the ceremony, veterans and their family members were treated to a fish-fry dinner courtesy of the Hope Lions Club.