Record Crowd Hears Dakota Meyer Speak at Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- More than 200 guests attended Lindsey Wilson College's ninth-annual annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, held Wednesday afternoon in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center.

The record crowd heard from Southcentral Kentucky native and Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer.

Meyer urged guests to always seize an opportunity.

"It's about what you do tomorrow, it's about what you do today, it's about what opportunities you take that matter," Meyer said.

Meyer, 23, also thanked the older veterans "for my generation."

"I see sacrifice, I see commitment among you," he said. "I see that you all stood up in a time of need and you took an oath to defend your freedom and give your life at a moment notice, just like I did, and for that I thank you."

That's why Meyer said it's important to encourage young people to be patriotic.

Meyer also thanked veterans' family members.

"They sacrifice so much for us while we go through our duty," he said.

Meyer -- who has been a popular speaker since receiving the Medal Honor from President Obama on Sept. 15 for his actions during the Battle of Ganigal on Sept. 8, 2009, in Afghanistan -- said it was an honor to begin this year's Veterans Day events in Columbia.

"Its not only about being here with the veterans … but this is my hometown, and I wanted be with my hometown," he said.