Representatives of local veteran organizations gathered together Tuesday evening for a celebratory dinner, toasting a job well done and the work still ahead following the annual slate of All Veterans Activities over the last several months.
Specifically, a dinner at Bobby D’s Merchant Street BBQ was celebrating the work of the annual All Veterans Tribute Golf Tournament, which managed to raise right around $7,000 this year, according to lead organizer and veteran Jesse Solis. Additionally, the evening’s gathering allowed for an opportunity to disperse those dollars to local veterans organizations such as the American Legion, Women’s Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, just to name a few.
Sollis says those dollars are important to help these organizations continue supporting veterans both in and beyond the local community.
Veteran Jeff Ilk of the American Legion says they are grateful for the dollars, but he also looks forward to the amount of interaction and socialization the tournament provides for area veterans each year.
Commander of VFW Post 7957 Veteran Terry Brown says the dollars generated through the tournament each year allow them to continue honoring veterans even after they’ve passed on.
While not a veteran herself, longtime volunteer for the tournament and Women’s Auxiliary Soda Pop Officer Verlene Lclear says service runs deep in her family and she is always ready and willing to step up and support veterans whenever the opportunity arises.
Next year will be the 25th annual golf tournament and while he didn’t divulge details, Sollis says people should expect it to be better than ever.
