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Ionia Free Fair recognizes military, veterans

Sentinel-Standard - 7/20/2018

July 20--IONIA -- The folks who organize the Ionia Free Fair appreciate our nation's soldiers and military veterans.

And they show it in a very real way, by dedicating a day of the festival to those who served in the defense of freedom, and hosting a lunch and special ceremony in their honor

"We appreciate you all showing up, but more than that I appreciate everything you have done for the country, our community and our world," Free Fair general manager Michael Smith told the crowd of 289 current and former military members who registered to participate in the Veterans' Day festivities on Thursday.

"If it wasn't for the military and the freedom we have, we wouldn't be here today enjoying the fair and a lot of other stuff that we enjoy."

New Ionia Free Fair Queen Abigail Read also greeted the military personnel.

"We are honored to be in your presence on behalf of myself, the court and everybody right here in Ionia," she said. "We are thankful for you, and we are glad you could be here."

The military folks who participated were treated to a free lunch, door prizes, 50/50 raffles, and a drawing for artwork.

Some of the participants were taking part for the first time.

One of them was Carl Ussery, a Vietnam War veteran and a volunteer board member for the West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program.

"I supported fire bases in the Mekong Delta," he said of his miltary service. "I wasn't at one base. I went wherever I was sent."

Although new to the Veterans' Day program, Ussery had been to the Ionia Free Fair before.

"I used to come here when my kids were little," he said. "I used to bring them every year in the 1970s."

Jerry Fritz, who was stationed in Norfolk. Va. from 1955-59, has been to several Ionia Free Fair Veterans' Day events.

"I don't remember when I first started coming," he said. "It's a nice event. You get to see a lot of the guys you haven't seen in awhile."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12082 of Ionia started the ceremony honoring the military personnel by presenting the colors.

Nancy Haga, chairwoman of the event, said she was was "overwhelmed by the amount of people that are here today."

Then Haga was honored by former Marine Corps officer and State Representative Thomas Albert.

"I think this year, you carried more of the burden than you have in years past, so let's give Nnacy a round of applause," said Albert, who also provided updates on recent legislation in Lansing concerning veterans.

Others who addressed the veterans included Roger Haller of Disabled American Veterans; Christina Woodard, a West Michigan Works career coach; Lori Higgins of Service for Homeless Veterans; and Kay VanDuinen of the West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program.

The Ionia Community Band also performed.

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(c)2018 Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Mich.

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