[November 14, 2016]      

It has become a local tradition at the Lincoln Bonanza to offer a free meal to all veterans on the day set aside to honor them. This year, while some may have been attending the lunch hosted at the Lincoln VFW, several others, enjoyed spending time at the Bonanza, feasting on a free buffet. The buffet was open to all veterans throughout the day.

Around the dining area, there were several familiar faces and some who may have been less well-known, but no less appreciated for their service to our country.

Pitching in to help on this special day were several local boy scouts, who made the rounds around the dining area, filling cups with fresh hot coffee, and bussing tables as the restaurant prepared for the next wave of guests to arrive.

Also on hand this year was Orville Shaffer, talking about the Honor Flight program and offering to sign-up any veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, or Vietnam War.

The Honor Flight program provides a free trip to Washington D.C. to visit the three war memorials in the heart of the city. For many of these veterans, it is the only opportunity they may ever have to see the memorials that so poignantly represent the struggles of their time as they defended our country.

Around the room, there were tables of happy faces, veterans sitting together telling stories of their past, family listening and remembering the time they spent at home, waiting and watching for their solider to come home.

This year again, the large “Thank you” card was set out near the front of the restaurant, and the white space for signing names on the card was filled to capacity with the names and notes of appreciation of patrons of the restaurant.

Pictures by  Karen Hargis