St. Joseph NAACP Chapter to honor recipient of new service award

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph NAACP Chapter will honor two of its late leaders by presenting a new service award.

The Triplett-Veale Service Award was created in remembrance of the late St. Joseph Chapter NAACP President Charles Triplett and also the late Mike Veale, NAACP Assistant Treasurer.

Both Triplett and Veale were dedicated to the work of the NAACP, the Bartlett Center and other agencies aimed at helping the community.

Veale was a well-known local labor leader, most recently the President of the Northwest Missouri Central Labor Council, who passed in August 2025.

Veale shared his knowledge as a Master Plumber by teaching at the Local 45 Apprenticeship School. He also volunteered at the KC MO Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and obtained his security license. Veale worked security for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Veale was also a consummate supporter of all things NAACP, including paying for several youth memberships each year.

Triplett was best known for his over ten years of service as President of the NAACP Unit 4085. He was well known for traveling across Missouri to help those in need.

Triplett was also known for presenting awards to those being acknowledged at the Annual Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism Breakfast, held at the St. Joseph YWCA, honoring Kelsy Beshears' memory. He was also instrumental in causing a resurgence in the Unit's memberships.

The public is invited to attend the NAACP's meeting, where it will present the special award in Triplett and Veale's honor from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the St. Francis Baptist Temple at 1610 Angelique St.

The special award will be given annually at the St. Joseph NAACP meeting. In addition, the work accomplished by the St. Joseph NAACP Chapter will be acknowledged.

Community members who would like to attend the meeting should email NAACP Secretary Loes Hedge at jelowhedge@gmail.com.