VFW to hold spaghetti feed and flag retirement

PLAINS – VFW Post #3596 will honor all veterans on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with a free hot meal.

On the 72nd anniversary of the surprise military attack, the VFW plans to have a spaghetti feed, free to veterans.

The event has taken place for approximately seven consecutive years, although it has also occurred in years prior. According to organizer Nora Verpoorten, the event took a break for a few years, most likely due to lack of volunteers but it has made a full return.

“It’s an appreciation day for veterans,” said Verpoorten. “Anybody who has ever served has to show some evidence and we give them a free meal.”

Last year about 60 veterans were served. The hope is the number will increase this year. With a new approach to advertising, the VFW is trying to target veterans outside of local organizations. Last year letters were sent out to all VFW and Legion Post members – limiting those who knew about the feed.

“We’re trying to get people who don’t belong to those to also come to this,” said Verpoorten.

The feast will include spaghetti, garlic toast, salad and pies for dessert.

Although the event aims at thanking the veterans, it is not only limited to those who have served.

Meal prices for nonveterans are $5.50 for adults and $4 for kids under 10 years of age.

Verpoorten explained the spaghetti feed is not a fundraising event, instead, the money goes to help pay for the expenses.

“Last year I think we just about broke even,” said Verpoorten.

After a lot of personal experience dealing with vets, Verpoorten said this was a good opportunity to show them they are appreciated – something that does not always happen as much as it should.

“I am a widow of two World War II veterans, my uncles were all in World War II, and I’ve been working with a number of veterans for years – they are not simply appreciated as much as they should be,” said Verpoorten, adding that this is a way to give back to those who served.

“(The spaghetti feed) is to honor them and give back a little bit,” said Verpoorten. “Anybody who has ever served, their life has been altered permanently and from working with veterans I know that.”

The feed is a way to extend a loving hand and show veterans that people understand what their hard work went for. That same day, there will be a flag retirement in conjunction with Plains Boy Scout Troop #46.

According to Joe Eisenbrandt, the annual flag retirement ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the VFW.

Anyone that has flags unsuitable for service can drop them off at the Post by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 6th.

Last year approximately 50 to 100 flags were retired.