Our 2016 cookout at Dallas’ VA hospital

13
Nov

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photoThe council contingent that provided lunch on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the VA hospital on South Lancaster Road included a half-dozen of our own  veterans (our “host,” community activities director Dan Murphy; our annual “sponsor” of this event, Bill Dover; Jim Stavinoha; La’Don Wright; Arthur Rodriguez; Tom Greco) plus some 8157 families (James Smith, daughter Jamie and granddaughter Caroline; La’Don’s sons La’Don Jr. and Donovan; Gerald Jacob’s wife Toni and granddaughter Tatiana; Jeff Miller and wife Frances) Others who volunteered were Billy Callender, Andy Goza, Nick Kleinhaus and Jim Richardson. Mike Fitzgerald made the beans and cookies.

About 50 in-patients of the hospital were served a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixin’s, baked beans, cookies, chips and drinks. Many of the recipients were quick to express their appreciation while walking through the serving line. For many of those who had little or nothing to say – other than “yes, I’d like some beans” – there was a look in their eyes that effectively conveyed thanks.

And we thanked them in return. This activity is scheduled annually in conjunction with Veterans Day. It falls a few weeks before Thanksgiving, and we express our deep appreciation to those who have served our country.