Houston resident Rudolph “Rudy” Blahnik was one of two men honored at a ceremony Sunday by Missouri Lt. Gov Peter Kinder.
Blahnik and Lewis McReynolds, of Willow Springs, were two of 34 Missouri veterans from around the state to receive the 2016 Veterans Service Award, which is given to veterans who provide exemplary volunteer service. The ceremony was at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 473 in Cabool.
Blahnik, who was nominated by the Texas County Republican Committee, served as commander of Post 473 from June 2013 to June 2015. He assisted veterans with processing claims for medical assistance. He also has been active with Texas County youth, participating in the Constitution Project and presenting awards to the winning students at the state capitol in Jefferson City.
He also has been active in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen programs with students from Willow Springs and Cabool. Blahnik has been the presenter of the VFW Scholarship Awards to students at Texas County high schools.
Blahnik presents the colors at many community events, conducts flag education classes to middle schools students in Cabool and to the Boys Scouts of America at Kansas City and conducts flag-retirement ceremonies.
“And that’s not all,” Kinder said. “Rudy also has been an active member and served on the board of directors at the Hamrick Terrace apartments for seniors in Houston and collected and donated food, clothing and furniture to the Texas County Food Pantry.”
Kinder pointed out that it likely is the first time since he instituted the Veterans Service Award that two winners have hailed from the same VFW Post.
“Congratulations to you here at Post 473 for having two winners in your ranks,” he said.
Kinder presented both men with Veterans Service Award lapel pins and an official declaration from the lieutenant governor’s office highlighting their volunteer service. Also attending the ceremony were Missouri Reps. Shawn Rhoads of West Plains and Robert Ross of Yukon, who both presented the winners with House Resolutions recognizing their service.
Kinder instituted the Veterans Service Award in 2012 as a way to recognize Missouri’s hometown heroes and shine the spotlight on their selfless service.
“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 the state,” he said.