Where veterans like to meet
He approached mom and I with a big smile and said, “I remember your mom from last year.” After a brisk handshake Mark continued, “I was an MP in the Army just like her but I was in Vietnam.” The conversation continued at the annual Questar III luncheon in Troy, for local veterans . Since 2003, the Culinary Arts and Skills USA students have hosted this event. We have been going every year and see many of the same faces but usually only once a year.
That’s the way it is for us during the week proceeding Veterans Day. We go to lunches, brunches and breakfast celebrations but after that there is noticeable change in mom’s mood. The 92 year old army MP vet who enjoyed the attention and activity, is somber. We talk about other events in the future but I start to wonder where veterans gather during the year.
It used to be obvious; the VFW, local legion post, DAV etc. Now for a variety of reasons veterans are meeting in places that are filled with civilians also. Most often they can be seen in diners and coffee houses. Groups of anywhere from five to thirty five vets can’t be mistaken. They are usually laughing a lot; most often at each other and their garb usually has emblem, badge, hat or other object that represents their branch of the service. They gather to share or make up “war stories”, make fun of each other, and simply to enjoy the basic camaraderie that began years ago.
Robert Porter, a marine veteran describes these gatherings in this way. “They are small gatherings across the country for camaraderie, and healing. Veterans are a unique group, different from the general population of Americans. We left the comforts of our homes and families to serve this great nation of ours for a few as two years and up to 30 years. Some of us served in locations far from any combat and others were in the thick of things. Yet the one thing we all have in common is our service and we enjoy each other’s company in a special Esprit de Corps. So, we get together and break bread on certain mornings at different locations.
On Tuesdays we meet at a diner. It’s a small group of enthusiastic local veterans. The diner doesn’t have a private room, so we’re out among the other patrons. This isn’t an issue, since most of the time there are only a few other regulars there. On Thursdays we go to another diner. There is a side room that allows us to enjoy our company without worrying about bothering anyone else. This is an intimate group of a few veterans and a select group of patriots who support us.
Friday is the big event, at yes another diner you got it; 0800 (8am). Here we will pack the private room with up to 50 Veterans and Patriots!! The chef is amazing. He handles all those orders without a problem!
There is also a Saturday morning breakfast at a Café. This place is amazing; it’s full of memorabilia from World War II to current conflicts. Cindy is a gracious host and works tirelessly to support our Veterans by hosting special events to bridge the gap between our Veterans and the community!
The Café also hosts an all Marine breakfast the last Wednesday of each month at 0900 (9am). This brings Marines in from Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Troy. We even have Francis Sherman “Frank” Currey, WWII Army Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient in attendance as our Guest of Honor.”
Robert is certainly right when he talks about the value of these informal gatherings; “…the one thing we all have in common is our service and we enjoy each other’s company in a special Esprit de Corps.”