One of the first events to kick off Missouri’s Inauguration Day was Salute to Heroes, which honored Missouri’s most distinguished public servants.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who began the ceremony, explained how important it was to have this event on the day Mike Kehoe became Missouri’s 58th Governor.

“Well, I think it’s an appropriate testament to Governor Kehoe’s commitment to public safety and to honoring those who served the people of the state of Missouri,” he told Missourinet. “So, to kick off the inauguration day with this event really, you know, honoring the people who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe, is an appropriate gesture.”

The event honored twelve individuals for their service to Missouri, including Vietnam veteran Charles Dickinson. He played a key role in passing legislation supporting America’s veterans.

“Some of the stuff that we worked on was the second GI bill that we helped get through and that I helped with and the PACT Act,” Dickinson said. “The second GI bill did a lot for the veterans’ families and stuff.”

Dickinson, of southern Missouri’s Hartville, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the VFW in 2022 and this year marks his 50th Anniversary in VFW leadership.

The service honored firefighters, state Highway Patrol troopers, police officers, a retired sheriff, and several members of the military.

Click here to watch the ceremony.

© 2025, Missourinet.

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