Photo Gallery | SLIDESHOW: Honoring Heartland Veterans

Viewer Tera Thornberry from Charleston, Mo. sent us this picture of her husband SPC Gary W. Thornberry, along with their dog Shadow. Gary is originally from Bertrand Mo. He was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. He served in the U.S. Army, Active Duty from 2008 to 2011. He was deployed to Iraq from 2008 to 2009. She says he is now in the U.S. Army National Guard; not only for the country, but also for her because of her heart condition. She says the Army has the only insurance that will cover her. She says: “He's an amazing husband, son, and friend! We are all so VERY proud of him and love him very much!”

Viewer LaNaye Perkins sent us this picture of MSGT Otha E. McKee served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He also served in VietNam.

SFC Leo McElrath IV in the Missouri National Guard 935 ASB, Aurora, Mo.

A viewer sent us this picture of one of two of their Navy sons. His name is Zachary Simmons, he is currently serving on the USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) as a Machinery Repairman. He makes his father and I proud every day. They say: we love you Zachary.

Viewer Terri Finertie sent us this picture of her dad, Joseph Ward Warbington, from Poplar Bluff. He served January 1916 - July 1975. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Philippines for more than a year and a half. He owned Uncle Joes Discount Store in Poplar Bluff from 1965 until he died in 1975.

Bob is a Vietnam veteran and now lives in Karnak, Ill. This picture was taken in 1970.

Viewer Shirley Davis sent us this picture of her father, Emery I. Hill. He was a Private in World War II. He served in the U.S. Army. He was inducted into the Army from Dunklin County, Mo. He was inducted and sworn into military service on Dec. 21, 1943 at The Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis Mo. He took his Basic Training at Camp Robinson, Ark. near Little Rock. Later he was assigned duty in Co. B, of the 259th Combat Engineers Battalion. He had additional training at Camp Bowie, Texas and at Fort Belvar, Va. He was sent overseas in early 1945. He went to Hawaii first, then to Saipan one of the Mariana Islands in the North Pacific about 1,350 miles south of Japan. Later Emery was sent to Japan and in April 1946 was discharged a P.F.C. from the Army on April 24, 1946 at the Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Mo. Emery received the following decorations and citiations: American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, and one overseas bar. Emery now lives in Fredericktown, Mo.

This is Airman Rick Wolk-Hariis. He joined the service after high school. He has served in Iraq and currently lives in Florida. He is the son of Heather Welker in Marble Hill.

Viewer Sarah Sadler sent us this picture of her brother, PFC Lucas Warren from Poplar Bluff, Mo. He is currently in basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. She says he's just starting out but already making them proud.

Served in U.S. Army, Search Recovery, Vietnam, two tours

Served in U.S. Army Air Corp, Tech Sgt., bombed Germany, WWII

From Chester, Ill. Larry Eggemeyer served in Korea starting in August 1969.

This is a picture of Michael Peters, Army Military Police and Vietnam Veteran, June ’68 from Charleston, Mo. It was submitted by wife Janice Peters, daughter Tanya Sander, and granddaughters Brooklynn and Lillian.

A viewer sent us this picture of their brother Geoff Weimer.

This is Jason Lee with the USAF stationed at Hill AFB, Utah. With his mother Deb and sister Joanna.

Viewer Brittni Kinder from Poplar Bluff, Mo. sent us this picture of her sister Kaylee and her husband Robert Matheney. She says he is from Scott City, Mo. and her sister is from Cape Girardeau, Mo. He is currently serving in the Army and is stationed in Korea. He will come home in March and then they will move to Washington state where they will be stationed for a few years. The picture is from a year ago when he graduated from airborne and her sister went to the ceremony and got the honor of pinning his wings on his uniform. She says she is so proud of my brother-in-law.

Viewer Sheila Snow sent us this picture of her three sons all currently serving in the Army. Left to right: Specialist Nick Mills, Specialist Steven Mills and Staff Sergeant Tim Mills. She says she and her husband are very proud of them all.

This is Derek W. Strunk, he is formerly from Energy. He is the 28-year-old son of Kim Sprague of Energy & Terry Strunk of Anna. Married to Jessica Strunk, he has two sons – 11-year-old Christian & 2-year-old Blake. He is active duty stationed out of Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He was deployed to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 09-May 10 and is currently deployed to Iraq in Operation New Dawn.

Viewer Bethel Renfrow sent us this picture of Samuel Renfrow. Samuel is a Petty Officer First Class with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Paul Hamilton, a destroyer surface ship based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Multiple deployments, and duty stations have taken Sam from his hometown of Cape Girardeau. He plans to continue his Navy career. He is proud to serve the United States of America, and does so, while balancing a family life with two children and a wife.

Viewer Molly Stark from Cape Girardeau, Mo. sent us this picture of her husband Loren Stark. He is a captain in the Army, originally from Hancock, Mich. She says she and her husband are currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. She says he is going to be deploying to Afghanistan before Christmas. While having been proud to serve, he wishes to eventually leave the service and fulfill his dream of joining the F.B.I. She says she is very proud of her husband as well as all of the other servicemen who are serving or have served.

Viewer Becky A. from Ullin, Ill. sent us this picture of her step-dad, George Nelson, who served in the U.S. Air Force. He is a member of the VFW and American Legion. He has served as Master of Ceremony at the Memorial Day Celebration at the Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Ill. for the last few years. He's also part of the Ritual team that gives Military Honors during the funerals of area Veterans.

Viewer Kristen Newell from Jackson, Mo. sent us this picture of her brother Staff Sergeant Kyle Newell (also from Jackson, MO). He was in the 1st BDE 25th Infantry Division 2nd Stryker SBCT from January 2003 - January 2006. She says during this time he was deployed to Iraq from Sept 2004 - Sept 2005. He joined the Missouri Army National Guard in November 2006 - present. He is now a full-time staff member for Detachment 1 Charlie Company 1-138th Infantry out of Perryville, Mo.

Robert C. Caraker of Anna, Ill. Retired US Army as CWO 4. He served from June 1966 to April 2002. Basic training and Flight school 1966-1967 Phu Loi, 1967-1968. While in Vietnam, he was pilot of a UH 1 (Huey helicopter), making troop insertions into the battlefield and then extracting them after the battle was over. He also served as medical air ambulance when needed. Savannah, Ga. 1968-1970. Illinois National Guard from 1980-April 2002. Germany 1988 1989. Panama 1992. Honduras 1996. He was Instructor Pilot in the Huey from 1993 to 1997 He transitioned into the UH 60 Blackhawk in 1997 and flew this until April 2002. In April, he retired as Chief Warrant Officer 4, with 26 years and 4,000 hours of flight time. Some of the Medals he earned include: 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 4 Air Medals with; Device, for Valor, Bronze Star, 26 Air Medals for Combat Assaults, The Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal and others He also earned the Master Aviator Wings.

Viewer Jashua Cox of Cape Girardeau, Mo sent us this picture of SSG Stephen Gannon of East Cape. Stephen currently works for the Department Of Corrections in Tamms, Ill. He has served two tours of duty in Iraq and had been enlisted in the Army for over 15 yrs. He is married with three kids: Jashua Cox of Cape Girardeau, Cody Gannon of Cucamonga, Calif. and Michael Gannon of Cucamunga, Calif. Stephen was born in Albany, N.Y. on March 15, 1969. He moved to Olive Branch, Ill. in Dec. 1994.

Viewer Clara B. Green, SE Regional 4-H Youth Specialist/CPD sent us this picture of Sp5 Glenn Green, US Army, Vietnam Veteran. He served with 101st Airborne C-506th 3rd battalion in Vietnam from 1970-1971. She says he was welcomed home at Ft. Campbell, Ky. in 2009.

Viewer Clara B. Green, SE Regional 4-H Youth Specialist/CPD sent us this picture of Capt. Kevin Green, USAF. Stationed at Yakota AFB, Japan.

Viewer Jennifer Tate from Parma, Mo. sent us three pictures. She says her husband, Michael Tate, is from Gideon, Mo. and is a Chief Petty Officer on the USS Nebraska (submarine). He has been in the Navy for 10 years, and plans to retire. He is the son of Randy and Carolyn Tate. She says they are now stationed in Bremerton, Wash. Jennifer says their families still live in Sikeston and Parma, Mo. She says they have three beautiful kids and are very proud to serve their country.

Viewer Jennifer Tate from Parma, Mo. sent us three pictures. She says her husband, Michael Tate, is from Gideon, Mo. and is a Chief Petty Officer on the USS Nebraska (submarine). He has been in the Navy for 10 years, and plans to retire. He is the son of Randy and Carolyn Tate. She says they are now stationed in Bremerton, Wash. Jennifer says their families still live in Sikeston and Parma, Mo. She says they have three beautiful kids and are very proud to serve their country.

Traci L. Paron of Paducah, Ky. stands in back wearing a yellow shirt. Beside her are her three children: Xzana Parson, 13; Jeremy Coursey, 20 and Justin Coursey, 24. Her son Jeremy says she has been an outstaning mother and veteran. She always puts other people first and herself last. A little message from her family: We love you mom thanks for all you have done for not only us but your Conuntry as well!

From East Prairie, Mo. Sgt. Jon James served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August 2002 to October 2009. His service included: •Japan from 2002 to 2003, •Washington, D.C. from 2004 to 2007, •LeJune, N.C. from 2007 to 2009 and •Iraq from 2007 to 2008. While in Japan, James toured in Korea and was on ship with the 31st MEU to Guam. He also went on deployment to Australia.