VILLAGE OF EAST SYRACUSE – As a show of appreciation for military veterans, a spaghetti dinner was hosted last week at Arthur Butler American Legion Post 359.
Excepting the veterans in attendance and their plus-ones, all of whom received meals for free, the event on Nov. 9 asked for $3 per individual and $10 a family, with proceeds benefiting the non-profit post on West Manlius Street in East Syracuse. Tom Richardson, the village’s parks and recreation director, said the fundraiser went off without a hitch, so much so that he is already set on arranging a spaghetti dinner for the same cause next year.
“It was definitely worth the while, and we had a big turnout,” Richardson said. “Everybody seemed to enjoy it.”
The dinner included not only spaghetti, meatballs, sausage, Italian bread and side salads but also hot dogs, Coneys and bratwurst donated by Hofmann. Desserts like slices of cake were contributed by Lyncourt Bakery, and support also came from ESM Culinary Class, the East Syracuse Fire Department, Tops Friendly Markets, Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, Mineo Wholesale, Wegmans, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Peace, Love & Cupcakes.
“It’s just a great opportunity for us to stop, say thank you and recognize the service our veterans in the East Syracuse area have given to our country and our community,” Mayor Robert Tackman said.
United States Army veteran Ken Brenchley said the event was “very much appreciated,” adding that “you can’t go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs.”
Brenchley, who served from 1973 to 1977, said Veterans Day is an important holiday because of its intrinsic appreciation for servicepeople, especially those who may not have received enough recognition years ago.
“Those young men and women really need the support of people here at home,” said Brenchley, a Camillus resident who found comfort at the Arthur Butler American Legion. “It means a lot, because when you’re away, you’re kind of lonely, you’re off by yourself and it’s a hard job. It is really important that we put time as a nation into honoring the fallen and those who served, because our system is fragile.”
Vietnam War vet Bob Shanahan, now a recruiter for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, said he believed the food served at the Tuesday evening dinner was “fantastic.”
Though Shanahan said he would be willing to repeat his service overseas, he is like many that belong to the East Syracuse American Legion in that he would prefer speaking about the freedoms secured by the military and the camaraderie among veterans to examinations of the historical significance of their military conflicts or the reliving of specific wartime memories. Beyond the spaghetti dinner, the East Syracuse post has been holding a clothing drive focused on the collection of sweatsuits, socks, T-shirts, underwear and shoes for the local VA Hospital.
“A lot of times, our veterans go into the hospital with nothing but night clothes,” said Ramona Bellavia, past president of East Syracuse American Legion Auxiliary Unit 359. “When they’re released, obviously they need something to wear.”
The members of the village’s American Legion also participate in dart leagues and cornhole tournaments to stay active through the year.