I would like to thank Sam’s Club and Walmart of Burlington, Ohio for their support of the Burlington Veterans Memorial and the Burlington Veterans Memorial Tournament.

Recently, Sam’s Club made a substantial donation to help ensure our fallen patriots are not forgotten, to assist in the healing process of our military families, and to invest in the Burlington community.

I’d like to give an example of the impact veterans memorials have on the family members of fallen veterans.

On Christmas Eve, I drove past the Veterans Memorial in Burlington and noticed a lady standing alone, looking at the memorial. As I slowed to a stop, she turned, and we recognized one another. She walked to my car and we chatted for a few minutes. As she began to talk, I noticed the tears streaming down her face. She talked of how much she missed her loved one and how difficult it was to visit his grave, since he is buried in Arlington.

She mentioned that she often comes to the memorial in order to remember her fallen family member and to be close to him.

She also mentioned that her family would soon be in from out of town and they all planned to visit the memorial later that evening.

Sam’s Club manager Jim Bachelor and Walmart manager Duane Cook have both expressed interest that their associates would like to become more involved in our community. Last year their associates donated nearly 200 hours in the Burlington area. Since the start of our annual basketball and corn hole tournament, Sam’s Club, Walmart and several other Burlington businesses have stepped to the forefront and have made themselves known as “neighbors.”

The associates at Sam’s Club and Walmart have continued to impress me over the past three years and it appears they have only begun. Their dedication to our veterans and their families is greatly appreciated in the Burlington community.

If anyone has additional names to be added to the Burlington Veterans Memorial, please contact me at (304) 412-4852.

Chris Saunders

Burlington