Help Us Salute Local Heroes: Share a Veteran’s Photo and Story for Our Free Community Tribute

They raised their right hands, served with courage, and came home to build the communities we love. This Veterans Day, help us say “thank you” by sharing the veteran in your life with the entire Riverbend region. RiverBender.com will once again be publishing reader-submitted tributes free of charge thanks to our community sponsors.

How to submit

Submitting a tribute is simple. You can fill out our Veteran Salute form at http://contribute.riverbender.com/page/veteran-salute, or email us at news@riverbender.com.

What to include

When you submit, please include the veteran’s full name; hometown or local connection; branch, rank, and years of service; and a brief story—highlighting their service, deployments, achievements, or the everyday moments that make them your hero. Add your name and contact information so we can follow up if needed. Attach a photo in JPEG or PNG format.

Anyone can submit a tribute—family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. We welcome veterans from any era and any branch, including those who are currently serving.

RiverBender.com will publish tributes as they arrive leading up to Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and throughout the year.

There is no cost to participate. This community project is free, thanks to our sponsors. Please help us thank them by supporting the businesses and organizations that make coverage like this possible:

• 111 Salvage, LLC
• 1st MidAmerica Credit Union
• Akers Scrapping Service
• Altonized Community Credit Union
• Angie Daniels - RE/MAX Alliance
• Barrett Heating & Cooling, Inc.
• Cambridge House of Maryville
• City of Jerseyville
• Cleary’s Boots & Shoes
• Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors
• Cora Catherine Miller Photo Arts
• Cracker Factory Great Rivers Lodging
• El Mezcal
• Elias Kallal & Schaff Funeral Home
• Genesis Wealth Management Group, LLC
• Happy Hour Barber Stop
• Hayner Library
• Home Builders & Remodelers Association
• Jacob Sunroom & Exteriors
• Kitchen & Bath Outlet Center
• LaMay’s Catering
• Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
• McCarry’s Dairyland
• National Memorial of Military Ascent
• Nicky G’s Italian Eats LLC
• Professional Hearing Associates
• Rex Encore
• Roberts Motors Ford
• Rolling Hills Golf Course
• Shelter Insurance - Mark Birmingham
• Sherry Gilleland - Dream Home Realty Centre
• Simmons Hanly Conroy
• Spencer T. Olin Golf Course
• The Wedge
• Trost Plastics
• Tucker's Automotive and Tire
• Waggoner Equipment
• Widman Construction Inc

If your organization wants to support this project in the future, inquire about sponsorship opportunities by emailing sales@riverbender.com.

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