Honoring heroes: The Wake Foundation's mission to support veterans through unforgettable experiences

KENNETT, Mo. - Robert "Bob" Wake is all about veterans.

The Purple Heart recipient and his Wake Foundation work tirelessly without fanfare to help in providing needed services for veterans who might have been overlooked.

Each year the Wake Foundation sponsors a number of outdoor events throughout the country, geared towards assisting military personnel and wounded veterans' proof that there is life after combat.

Its mission is to help veterans regain some sort of normalcy in their lives after service.

Wake and company strive to show all veterans, and all those who have and are willing to help volunteer, that they can continue to serve such an honorable cause even after active duty.

"I am a strong believer in honoring those who served," Wake explained Thursday. "Whether they were in combat or serving in supporting roles, even during peacetime.

"When you sign on that dotted line, you become a hero to our country," he emphasized.

The Wake Foundation supports service personnel by increasing awareness and raising funds to help strengthen the lives of veterans and veteran's families.

Those efforts fund Honor Flights to Washington D.C., excursions provided to veterans free of charge so they might experience visits to military memorials and fascinating museums.

"We're taking veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in March," Wake said. "Veterans from Southeast Missouri, caregivers, a nurse and media liaisons, among others.

"This will be an historic flight," he added. "Not only are we heading to the nation's capital, but we're also departing from Cape Girardeau on a non-stop flight to Washington D.C."

Kennett City Councilman and US Army veteran James Waynick and his wife Deb plan to accompany the heroes on the journey.

"There really is nothing like being with veterans and hearing their stories," Waynick said. "Many times, they are reluctant to even speak.

"These flights though, and the camaraderie with other vets, sometimes gets them talking," he added. "It might take a day or two to break the ice. But sometimes, that's what it takes to get them to open up about memories that might have been buried for a long time."

Wake said one veteran contacted him and said such a trip was important to him for a number of reasons.

And this particular veteran's time on Earth grew shorter by the day, Wake noted at a Wednesday evening planning session at the Waynick home.

"He's a US Navy vet who served on a nuclear submarine for seven years," Wake said. "He said an Honor Flight was ALL that was on his bucket list.

"When I told him we'd make that happen for him, he became very emotional," Wake added. "When we understand what these men went through to guarantee our freedoms, then listen to their stories and wishes, I get emotional, too. It's a source of great pride to be able to help these heroes, who are so deserving of honors."

The spring trip is from March 25-March 27, inclusive, and features all-expenses paid airfare, hotel lodging, meals, transportation on arrival and tours of fascinating museums and memorials important to those who served, and to all who have not.