Veterans invited to Legion Ladies Auxiliary event on April 22

A new event will honor area veterans.

The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor the first Veterans Appreciation Day Luncheon on April 22 from 1-5 p.m. at the American Legion Huts at Wilson Ledbetter Park. 

Organizer Joleen Cahill said the event is meant to honor our veterans and their families. Festivities are for veterans and their families, active duty military, and gold star families. 

There will be a ham meal provided free of charge beginning at 1 p.m. A short program will begin at 2 p.m. with speaker Troy Kelly.

Kelly is a retired Army veteran of the Vietnam War and Tet Offensive. He is a sculptor. He created the Fifth of November Memorial at Fort Hood and the Vietnam Memorial at Killeen Central Veterans Center.

Cahill said a representative with Honor Flights will be on hand to speak with veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Honor Flights takes veterans of those wars on a no cost flight to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials. The next Honor Flight is set for Nov. 7-8. Cahill said all veterans from Milam County who are interested can come visit with them on that day or visit the website at honorflight.org.

Activities such as horseshoes, washers, volleyball, and activities for kids will be ongoing throughout the day.

Cahill said that the event is put on in the spirit of service by the American Legion because the mission of the Legion is to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans and military and their families.

An RSVP is appreciated by April 6, but is not required. You may RSVP to joleen.cahill@yahoo.com. For more information, please contact John Shuffield at 605-4001 or Joleen Cahill at (254) 833-1531. You can also contact any American Legion member for more information.