Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder announced 34 winners of the 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Veterans Service Award, which recognizes Missouri veterans who provide exemplary volunteer service to their communities.
Kinder started the award in 2012 and has received more than 700 nominations from around the state. Winners will be honored with an official declaration from the lieutenant governor. “One of the greatest honors I have as Missouri’s lieutenant governor is recognizing and honoring the service our veterans provide their families, friends, and neighbors in our great state,” Kinder said. “Once again, we had an exceptional group of nominations this year, and I look forward to meeting these hometown heroes and getting to know them a bit better.
“It truly is an honor to be able to shine the spotlight on their stories of sacrifice and service to their communities. Not only did these veterans answer the call to serve their country, but all our nominees continue to inspire others back home with their volunteerism.”
Volunteer Richard Youngs is among the award recipients. The Cameron Veterans Home congratulates Richard on this distinguished honor.
Richard is an 86 year old Navy Veteran who is a dedicated volunteer at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron. He has been volunteering since 2000, working in various capacities throughout the years. Richard currently volunteers in the Home’s Canteen (snack shop), working as a cashier and assisting Veterans with their purchases. He also accompanies the Veterans on their weekly outings on the bus. Richard travels to Walmart, the movies, restaurants, shopping centers, and community events. He assists disabled Veterans on and off the bus and also helps them during the outings with managing their money, using the restroom, and navigating venues. Richard is also active with the local VFW and American Legion. He volunteers his time to coordinate events between the service organizations and the Veterans Home. Richard was instrumental in setting up a quarterly VFW sponsored cake and ice cream social at the Veterans Home. He makes the arrangements, picks up the supplies, sets up the dining hall, and has even been known to pay for the cake and ice cream with his own money. Richard is a weekly fixture at BINGO, passing out money and helping Veterans read their cards.
Richard spends every single holiday placing flags at businesses and homes around the Cameron area. You can find him before the sun rises, placing flags around town and spreading his patriotism. Richard averages 526 volunteer hours per year at the Veterans Home (2000-2015). During 2015, he spent 582 hours serving his comrades at the Home. Richard continues to live at home with his wife, Shirley, but most of his free time is spent in civic service at the Veterans Home, VFW, and American Legion. Richard is a dedicated, hard-working volunteer. As he nears 90 years old, his passion for serving fellow Veterans and his community only grows stronger!
To see a complete list of award winners, click here.
