Chuck wagon fundraiser benefits area veterans
Outdoor cooking brought people out to the Four States Fairgrounds recently for a good cause and some good food.
The Wagons for Veterans fundraiser organized by the Texarkana Area Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 278 brought both local and area residents streaming into the Four States Fairgrounds to enjoy the tasty food varieties offered by the chuck wagons. These varieties included: chicken fried steak, brisket, chili, gumbo, rice & sausage servings, potatoes, chicken dumplings, peach cobbler, cherry cobbler, apple cobbler and blueberry cobbler, along beef stew and onion rings.
VVA Chapter 278 President Greg Beck estimated the event drew at least 1,000 patrons during the threehour feed — which lasted from about 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Atlanta, Texas American Legion Post 258 Chaplain Mike Lee said this is the second Wagons for Veterans fundraiser that he’s attended in Texarkana.
“During my first one here, I remember it was cold and the wind was blowing, but it was held under a roof covering,” he said. “The outdoor open cooking fires felt so good and warm that day. We went around to each wagon that year and huddled around each fire, from one fire to the other.”
Gary Richardson, also with American Legion Post 258, said he
“It’s sure great to get a chance to help veterans that
need help.”
— Gary Richardson
heard about the Wagons for Veterans through the Legion.
“It’s sure great to get a chance to help veterans that need help,” said Richardson, who served in the National Guard for 21 years.
Tommy Wilson of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, said settlers of the Old West made sure they had a place to put all their cooking supplies on a chuck wagon.
“They would also carry water barrels to put water in, whenever they could find pure water in the rivers and creeks they crossed,” he said. “The wagon we have here goes back to 1895.”
Texarkana, Arkansas, resident Bobby McDowell said veterans deserve all the love and support they can get.
“We can’t do enough for our veterans,” McDowell said. “My dad was in France during World War II and this feels like a tribute to my dad.”