EATON — The Famous Preble County Fair kicked off on Saturday, July 28, with a tribute to veterans and those who have died serving the United States of America.
All veterans and one guest got into the fair for free on Saturday and then a service was held in the grandstands prior to the parade.
The service featured speeches by retired Colonel Chip Tansill and American Legion Post 215 Service Officer Jake Dailey.
U.S. Army retired Col. Chip Tansill was the featured speaker.
Prior to being appointed director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, Col. Tansill served as executive director of the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission.
Col. Tansill began his military career in 1982 when he joined the United States Army Reserve. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1990. In 2011, he was named chief of staff for the Ohio National Guard.
His awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He retired from military service in 2015.
Col. Tansill received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Fairmont State College. He holds master degree’s from Trident University and the U.S. Army War College.
Dailey is the Eaton American Legion Post 215 Service Officer, Service Officer AmVets Post 1789 Brookville, Junior Vice Commander DAV Chapter104 Lewisburg, and Past DAV District 2 Commander.
“It is my pleasure to be here today on behalf of the military and veteran community,” Dailey said. “And to extend a grateful thank you to the Preble County Fair Board for designating this day as military and veterans appreciation day. On this day the Fair Board honors in a special way those who have served or are serving in our Nations Armed Forces.”
“We should all be aware that for every military member male or female who have paid the ultimate price 10 are severely injured or disabled. Most Americans profess to truly love our veterans, especially on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. While their feelings are usually sincere, it is important to remember that Veterans are defending us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.
“The heroism that has been demonstrated time and again by Veterans from the American Revolution to the Global War on terrorism is sometimes unnoticed by those of us who enjoy the security that this Nation’s Veterans sacrifices have provided.”
He ended, “Veterans have given us freedom, security and the greatest nation on earth. It is Impossible to put a price On that. Thank you, God bless you, God bless our veterans, and God bless America.”
