Veterans invited for free lunch in Dundee Township
Dundee Township Rotary Club members are hoping to repeat last year's turnout for the annual Veterans Day lunch and feed more than 100 local residents who have served in the armed services.
In fact, they are hitting the streets to fill the lunch as they did last year.
"So far, we have gone to the Dundee Township Senior Center, the Village Green (retirement community) and the communities on Route 25 in East Dundee (Gardener and River Haven)," said Mary Stanley, Rotary Club chairwoman. "We want to invite as many veterans as possible. It would really help if they call us in advance and tell us they are coming."
The deadline to make a reservation is Thursday, Nov. 3, for the Nov. 10 noon luncheon at the VFW Post, on 117 W. First St. in West Dundee.
"Last year, we had so many people call shortly before the lunch, and we filled the VFW hall. This year, we are hoping for advanced reservations," she said.
Reservations can be made by calling Stanley at (847) 980-8083.
For more than six years, local Rotarians have hosted the luncheon. It's their way of serving men and women who have served the country in times of war and peace. Those who attended mirrored the local Memorial Day Parade, with a few from World War II, some from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and a handful from the Gulf War in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Finding a good amount of veterans has been a chore for Rotary Club members in past year.
"We have made the rounds to local retirement communities and have even scheduled it the day before Veterans Day to make sure it doesn't conflict with other ceremonies," Stanley said. "Last year, when word got out in the newspaper, the response was overwhelming."
Veterans Day is Nov. 11.
During this year's luncheon, David Harman, a volunteer with Honor Flights Chicago will discuss the 9-year-old, not-for-profit program.
"In the past we have offered these flights to World War II veterans, but this year we are opening it up to Korean (Conflict) veterans because we are losing so many World War II veterans," Harman said. "We fly the veterans to Washington, D.C., so they can see the various monuments and memorials, such as the World War II memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.
"These flights are free to veterans. They don't spend a dime."
The flights run from April to October and start at Midway Airport in Chicago.
"Last year we celebrated the U.S. Marine Corps birthday with a big cake," Stanley said. "On Nov. 10, we'll be serving cookies for dessert, but we will be discussing the honor flights, which is a great program for veterans."