A Mayor’s Gratitude For Community, Service, And Home

A warm Christmas message from Mayor Sean Wilson shares gratitude for a year of celebration, service, and progress across Waynesville, St. Robert, Fort Leonard Wood, and Pulaski County. We reflect on festivals, honor veterans, highlight infrastructure and health milestones, and thank the people who quietly care for neighbors.

• highlights from parades, festivals, and Route 66 traditions
• pride in Fort Leonard Wood and honoring Master Sergeant Gene Blunt
• local growth through new businesses and the farmers’ market
• leadership development and community programs
• a rescued bald eagle as a symbol of stewardship
• sidewalks, infrastructure, and the new regional airport terminal
• anticipation for the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital opening
• holiday service efforts, Shop with a Cop, Toys for Tots, and Salvation Army support
• acknowledgement of loss, resilience, and regional unity
• closing Christmas blessing to all families

Transcript

Holiday Greeting And Gratitude

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Good morning and Merry Christmas. This is Sean Wilson, the mayor of Waynesville, and yes, it's that time of year again. And as we gather with family and friends this Christmas, I want to take a moment to share how grateful I am to serve this wonderful community. This year has reminded me time again why our community is such a special place to call home. We've celebrated together at so many different events, from Kids to Park Day to Old Settlers Day to Freedom Fest to K-State Cruisers, Car Show, and the Oktoberfest. We've seen many other festivals take shape in our city park, including the Route 66 Hogs and Frog Fest and the Fall Fest. We cheered along Route 66 during the Veterans Day Parade, celebrated at the 20th annual Pumpkin Fest, enjoyed Christmas on the Square, and marveled at the always amazing annual Christmas parade, and came together to the lighted up Pulasi County celebration to welcome the holiday season. Our connection to Fort Leonardwood continues to be a source of pride. Nearly 80,000 service members and their families pass through our community each year, and many choose to make Pulasi County their permanent home. This year we honored Master Sergeant Gene Blunt as our 2025 Veteran of the Year, a reminder of the dedication and sacrifice that defined so many of our neighbors. We've also seen our community grow in exciting ways. New businesses have opened their doors. Our farmers' market continues to thrive, and programs like Leadership Pilesi 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 the Ozark skies. Beyond events and celebration, 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 and stay in touch with our citizens and keeping everyone informed. In partnerships with St. Robert and Fort Linwood, we've seen a$20 million construction project take shape for the new airport terminal at the Waynesville St. Robert Regional Airport, which will be ready for our entire community to use and enjoy in the coming 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 providing exceptional health care to the service members, veterans, and families of Fort Leonardwood and the surrounding communities. There are many transformative projects taking place, and we certainly have a great deal to be grateful and thankful for. 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 for those that needed them. And even giving school supplies to families that may need that type of support as well. During the times of our holiday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas, we see meals that are being provided by local churches and organizations partnering together to ensure that all needs were met. Our law enforcement departments have supported the Shop with the Cop program, giving children a special holiday experience. And the Toys for Tot program continues to grow and thrive in helping families in need. In this season of giving, we continue to see the Pilasic County Salvation Army serving our community like never before. 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 some of our friends and family that we loved. In those moments, we lean on one another 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 being that special place, but also our surrounding communities such as St. Robert and our partners at Fort Linnwood, and in fact, Pulassi County itself. It's a family. From my family to yours, and on behalf of the elected officials and the staff of the city of Waynesville, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. May this season bring you peace, joy, and a time with those that you love most. Thank you, and God bless our community.