Rent One salutes local military in medallion ceremony
Posted: 07/15/08
Rent One honored military personnel, both past and present, in an emotionally charged medal presentation ceremony at the company's store in Olney, Illinois on Saturday, July 12.
Olney store manager Terry Summitt says the company handed out over 100 medallions to servicemen and women including veterans from numerous wars.
Over 150 people attended the event which also included representatives from the Illinois National Guard, local VFW and American Legion.
WW II Veteran Ebert Urfer is overcome with emotion as he is interviewed by local radio host Gail Yeager at Rent One's military honor ceremony.
Local radio station, "The Legend" 92.9 was on-hand to cover the event via live feed and introduced each medal recipient on the air. The National Guard set up a "mini boot camp" for children.
Summitt says he and Rent One Regional Manager Eric Burns had been kicking around ideas to get involved in the community when they came up with the "military salute" idea. Summitt says he looks forward to making the medallion ceremony an annual event.
"To be able to give back to these guys who've given so much for our country, really meant a lot," Summitt says. "We had a World War II veteran who was in tears when we presented him the medal. That right there made the whole thing worthwhile to me."
