Veterans eat for free

What better way is there to honor America’s favorite sons than with a hot meal and a patriotic salute?

That’s exactly how the Camas-Hot Springs Senior Center plans to celebrate veterans on Thursday Nov. 11 with their annual veterans dinner. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the ham dinner, served at 6 p.m., will be free to veterans and $5 for others.

Hank Huigen, member of the senior center’s executive board and veteran himself, expects this to be a typical year with around 100 Sanders County residents in attendance.

“There are a lot of veterans that come, and a lot of them still come in uniform, if they can still fit in it,” Huigen said with a laugh.

He was quick to point out, however, that there is no formal dress code and attendees are welcome to come in jeans and a tee shirt.

“It’s a good thing and it’s heart warming that they do this to remember the veterans,” Huigen added. “There’s always a big turnout and it’s well received in the community.”

Traditionally, the dinner has been reserved for Camas-Hot Springs veterans, but this year Huigen stressed that all veterans and their families are welcome to attend.The dinner is not only for living veterans, as family members or friends of deceased veterans are encouraged to bring a picture of their loved one as well as some information like which branch they served in, and their name.

“They expect a whole lot more pictures this year,” Huigen said. “Every veteran, deceased or living is going to be honored.”

Pictures will be placed on the table of honor, and the names of all veterans will be read aloud as dinner is served. Veterans in attendance stand to be honored.

After dinner a choir accompanied by piano and guitar will sing patriotic songs like the Star Spangled Banner, Battle Hymn of the Republic and fight songs for the different branches of service.