Story and photos by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Kentucky National Guard Spec. Cheyenne Jennings sang the national anthem at the opening ceremonies at Keeneland's Military Appreciation Day on October 21, 2012. (Photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
LEXINGTON, Ky--Military families from all services attended the Military Appreciation Day at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington on October 21, 2012.
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“We are extremely grateful to the staff here at Keeneland for giving their time and effort to make this a special day for our military families,” said Kentucky National Guard Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Maggard from State Family Programs. “This is just another wonderful example of how Kentucky values its military community.”
The Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs set up a resource table to provide assistance to military families, plus conducted a kickoff to this year’s Operation Military Cheer, a drive to provide for the needs of military children and youth for the upcoming holiday season.
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(Left to right) Col. Ben Adams, Army Chief of Staff, Kentucky National Guard and his wife. Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard; Keeneland's bugler. Chief Warrant 5 Jim Simms, State Command Warrant Officer; and Mr. Bill Thomason, President of Keeneland race track. (Kentucky Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht)
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The Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs set up a resource table to provide assistance to military families, plus conducted a kickoff to this year’s Operation Military Cheer, a drive to provide for the needs of military children and youth for the upcoming holiday season. (Kentucky Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht)
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Keeneland Racetrack mascot "Buckles" makes friends with a young military family member during Military Appreciation Day. (Kentucky Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht)