Blue Springs mayor will honor veterans today

Religious affiliations will be placed aside in one Blue Springs house of worship Sunday morning as residents pay respect to local veterans.

The Blue Springs Assembly will celebrate veterans at 10 a.m. Sunday at 2501 N.E. Duncan Road. Zollie Smith, a Vietnam War veteran who holds a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, will be a featured speaker, along with Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross.

A guest reception will follow the service in the Youth Center, and veterans and their families are invited to personally greet the featured speakers.   

John Martz, senior pastor with Blue Springs Assembly, said the annual tribute has taken place for about five years and will be open to the general public, especially veterans of all armed forces and wars.

“It’s really rallying around a common theme of the freedoms we have,” Martz said. “One of the freedoms we have is to worship because of the men and women who have given their lives. We’re very thankful and appreciative of that.”

Ross, a Vietnam War U.S. Army veteran, will lead a gospel patriotic song a capella.

“It’s a passion of mine,” Ross said. “When I served in the Missouri House of Representatives for 14 years, I championed for veterans’ issues and I was known that if it had to do with veterans, you’ll find Representative Ross’ fingerprints. I’m deeply involved in veterans’ issues.”

In 1998, Ross co-sponsored legislation in the Missouri House of Representatives that required veterans’ cemeteries to be used only for veterans and their spouses. Ross also received the United States National Guard Major General Charles Dick Medal of Merit Award in 1998.

“Putting whatever your religious affiliation is aside, I think any time you can pay tribute to those who’ve served in the military is worth the time,” Ross said. 

Several black-and-white photographs of Ross when he served in the military will be shown in Sunday’s video tribute. Ross, 62, was drafted at 19 and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. On Jan. 30, 1968, Ross found himself in the midst the Tet Offensive.

“Right in the heart of it,” he said.

Ross described the Vietnam War as “one of those unappreciated wars,” though appreciation for its veterans has increased as time goes on, he said.

“Veterans didn’t get any respect when people came back. In fact, they were looked down upon,” Ross said. “Forty years later, people are showing us appreciation for serving in the war, when back then it was a thankless action.”