Good morning, and Merry Christmas.
This is Sean Wilson, the Mayor of Waynesville, and yes, it's that time of year again. As we gather with family and friends this Christmas, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community.
This year has reminded me, time and again, why our community is such a special place to call home. We've celebrated together at so many events, from Kids to Park Day, Old Settlers Day, and Freedom Fest to the Cave State Cruisers car show and Oktoberfest. We've seen many other festivals take shape in our city park, including the Route 66 Hogs and Frogs Fest and Fall Fest. We cheered along Route 66 during our Veterans' Day Parade, celebrated at the 20th Annual Pumpkin Fest, enjoyed Christmas on the Square, marveled at the always amazing Annual Christmas Parade, and came together at the Light Up Pulaski County celebration to welcome the holiday season.
Our connection to Fort Leonard Wood remains a source of pride. Nearly 80,000 service members and their families pass through our community each year, and many choose to make Pulaski County their permanent home. This year, we honored MSG Gene Blount as our 2025 Veteran of the Year, a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice that define so many of our neighbors.
We've also seen our community grow in exciting ways. New businesses have opened, our farmers' market continues to thrive, and programs like Leadership Pulaski County are developing the next generation of community leaders. Even our wildlife made news this year when Fort Leonard Wood worked with Dickerson Park Zoo to rescue and release a bald eagle back into our Ozark skies.
Beyond events and celebrations, we've been hard at work building for our future. We're expanding sidewalks throughout the city to improve safety, upgrading our infrastructure, and finding better ways to communicate with our citizens and keep you informed. In partnership with St. Robert and Fort Leonard Wood, we've seen a twenty-million-dollar construction project take shape for the new airport terminal at TBN, the Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport, which will be ready for our entire community to use next year.
And with great anticipation, we are pleased to share that the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital will open on April 7, 2026. This marks a significant milestone in delivering exceptional healthcare to service members, veterans, and families at Fort Leonard Wood and in our surrounding communities. There are many transformative projects underway, and we certainly have much to be grateful for.
But what truly defines our community is how we care for one another. We have seen our community come together throughout the year to provide meals to those in need and even more so at Thanksgiving. That spirit of giving continues today, with support for our neighbors on Christmas. Our law enforcement departments have supported the Shop with a Cop program, giving children an exceptional holiday experience, and the Toys for Tots program continues to grow and thrive in helping families in need. In this season of giving, we continue to see the Pulaski County Salvation Army serving our community more than ever. This represents the heart of who we are. Service is the core value we live by.
Of course, we've also faced challenges and said goodbye to neighbors we loved. In those moments, we leaned on each other because that's what we do here.
As you celebrate this season, whether you're surrounded by loved ones or serving far from home, please know that you are part of something truly special. I'm not just referring to Waynesville as a special place, but also to our surrounding communities, such as St. Robert, and to our partners at Fort Leonard Wood. Pulaski County isn't just a place; it's a family.
From my family to yours, and on behalf of the elected officials and staff of the City of Waynesville, we wish you a Merry Christmas. May this season bring you peace, joy, and time with those you love most.
Thank you, and God bless Pulaski County.