Vets, families, enjoy turkey dinner
MAHOPAC – Some 500 to 600 veterans, from WWII to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, attended the fifth annual veterans Thanksgiving dinner Saturday at the Putnam County Golf Course.
Hundreds of locals: businesses, residents, boy scouts, girl scouts, elected officials and many others, donated their time to give thanks to the local vets.
The dinner was hosted by US Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY18) and former state Senator Gregory Ball.
Ball said the thing that makes these dinners so special is the fact that the people involved are not just writing checks but, are donating their time to thank the veterans who, on this day, they are serving.
“We actually cook 75 turkeys in restaurants that donate their time, all throughout the Hudson Valley and over 500 volunteers come together to take care of hundreds of veterans and that’s why it’s such a heartwarming event,” Ball said.
Veterans who attended were treated to more than just the food. There were veterans of all conflicts, sharing stories with one another, music, and young scouts working diligently to provide a quality experience to their veterans.
WWII veteran Francis Tuotee said the youth involvement, especially, made the event particularly enjoyable for him.
“I think it’s a great honor to have all of these people volunteer their time, especially the kids,” said Tuotee. “The placemats are even made by kindergarteners and the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are here trying to make a nice day for the veterans; so, I really appreciate it and I know all the other veterans do.”
Tuotee’s friend and fellow WWII veteran Norman Hathaway, a former colonel in the Royal Canadian Navy, said with the population of WWII veterans dwindling on a daily basis, events like these are all the more important for them.
“Not too many of us left, so, what can we do about it other than enjoy life, enjoy every minute that we’re here; so, I’m very pleased to be here,” said Hathaway. “I am enjoying meeting everybody, my wife is able to come along, so, we can’t complain. Just all I can say is, I’m very glad to be here.”
This year’s event solicited donations for the Purple Heart Homes organization which provides housing to veterans who are facing homelessness. Ball said they raised thousands of dollars to cover the cost of the event.
Ball added that with the success they have been having with this dinner over the years, they hope to make the veterans Thanksgiving dinner a national event.
