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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Broad Channel Valentine for Vets


BC VFW Valentine For Vets

By Dan Guarino
Photos by Peter Mahon

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary members greet vets arriving for a special Valentine’s Day in Broad Channel. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary members greet vets arriving for a special Valentine’s Day in Broad Channel.Even after the storm, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Broad Channel did not forget the veterans of St. Albans VA Medical Center.
The Ladies Auxiliary of Prince-Wynn Post 260 was dismayed that Sandy’s widespread destruction did not allow them to host the vets in Broad Channel as planned. So, even with gas and function vehicles scarce, and their own homes damaged, they found a way to go to the vets and bring good cheer and make sure they were not forgotten.
This year the BC group hosted a dozen of disabled veterans, most in wheelchairs, from St. Albans for Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at the now rebuilt VFW Hall. They arrived from the facility in two special buses.

Vets at the Saturday gathering were treated to a fresh cooked meal prepared by chef Rob Prokopowicz. The complete dinner included salad, shrimp cocktail, chicken parmesan, broccoli rabe and string beans. Coffee, water and soda were also served up. Afterwards they enjoyed Valentine cupcakes made by Eileen Frost-O’Hare.

Vets from St. Albans VA Medical Center enjoy a home cooked meal, entertainment and a great day. Vets from St. Albans VA Medical Center enjoy a home cooked meal, entertainment and a great day.Ladies Auxiliary member Kathleen Reardon Savino noted as part of the entertainment “we had horse racing” where VFW volunteers gamely filled in as the advancing horses, “and Maggie Turchio performed her hula-hoop routine.”
By all accounts the vets enjoyed the day, thanking their VFW hosts as they left. One female vet couldn’t leave without giving the chef a hug.
Throughout the year the Broad Channel VFW volunteers offer programs and events to support local veterans.
It is estimated that there are 19.6 million military veterans in the United States today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau; 1.6 million are women. Approximately 3.6 million veterans suffer from a service-connected disability.


They’re off! VFW volunteers sprint along for a lively horse race. They’re off! VFW volunteers sprint along for a lively horse race.

Vets thank their VFW hosts for a great day. Vets thank their VFW hosts for a great day.

Hail to the chef. One vet couldn’t leave without giving him a big hug. Hail to the chef. One vet couldn’t leave without giving him a big hug.

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