VFW to honor Gulf vets

Veterans of wars in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan since 1990 will be honored guests for New Year’s Eve festivities Saturday at Marion’s VFW Post.

“We’re also wanting to bring in the younger generation to give them a chance to ask questions if they want to know what the VFW can do for them,” club manager Ida French said.

A Kansas City strip steak dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will cost $18, but Gulf and Afghanistan veterans will eat for free.

“Whether they come alone or come with their family, we just wanted them to be able to walk in the door and eat,” French said.

Reservations are being accepted at (620) 382-2931 and (620) 382-6125.

Live music featuring Fast Food Junkies, a fast-paced bluegrass band, will begin at 9 p.m. with $5 cover charge.

“It’s not easy getting a band that’s decent for New Year’s Eve,” French said. “They have a good following. I’m excited to have them.”

After ringing in the new year, the post will serve breakfast at 1 a.m.

French said the event would be similar to many the post held when she was growing up. Since then, she has come to better appreciate what VFW does for veterans.

“At first I thought it was a bunch of old men sitting around a table talking, but you see in the meetings there’s more involved,” she said. “They help each other out; they push community service. There’s so much the VFW does that nobody knows about.”