Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder Press Releases
July 12, 2012
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder to presents Veterans Service Award to David Orris Beaver of Fulton
Fulton – Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder on Thursday presented David Orris Beaver of Fulton with the Lieutenant Governor's Veterans Service Award in recognition of his tireless volunteerism in the Fulton area.
Lt. Governor Kinder made the presentation at the National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton. Beaver is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He was nominated for the award by Tom Maupin of Fulton.
“As a young man, when his nation called during the war in Vietnam, David Beaver answered that call, serving in the U.S. Army,” Kinder said. “Like many of Missouri’s veterans, his service didn’t end when his hitch in the Army was over.
“Instead, David has continued to serve Missouri and Fulton area, giving back to his community through countless hours of volunteer service.”
Beaver is a loyal fan and supporter of Fulton High School athletics, and has worked for many years on the sideline “chain gang” at home football games and been a longtime coach and mentor for young Callaway County athletes.
He spent more than 20 years as a volunteer coach, manager and mentor for Fulton’s American Legion Baseball Team, and, along with his family, has spearheaded the American Legion Post #210 Memorial Program, which places American flags on the graves of veterans buried in Fulton’s four cemeteries.
“Since his return to civilian life (after his service in Vietnam) . . . he has been a consistent asset to community volunteerism,” Maupin said in his nomination. “He is truly the standard to the ‘giving back’ concept to one’s community.”
Kinder received 140 nominations for the award, which recognizes Missouri veterans who provide exemplary volunteer service to their communities. Beaver received an official declaration from the lieutenant governor’s office recognizing his service.
“The same strong sense of duty and patriotism you showed in your service to your nation, you now show in your commitment to Fulton,” Kinder said. “(This award) is just one small way our state can say, ‘Thank you’ to our veterans and honor the sacrifices they continue to make for their communities and their state.”