VFW continues tradition of celebrating veterans

Members of the VFW in Plains might be too old to lay down their lives for their country these days, but they're still finding a way to help their community.

Nine members of VFW Post 3596 opened up the club banquet room for a free dinner and to treat them to five hours of entertainment as part of the VFW Veterans Day Party.

"There weren't as many people as last year, but it was still a big success," said Joe Eisenbrandt, the club's quartermaster and one of the coordinators of the annual event.

The post has been putting on the gathering since about 1978, two years after a fire destroyed the building, according to member Don Kunzer, an Army veteran of wars in Vietnam, Korea and Uzbekistan before retiring from the 279th Engineer Battalion as a master sergeant in 2010. "We have to do something on Veterans Day and it's good for the community," said Kunzer.

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day to observe military veterans of World War I, but was it renamed Veterans Day in 1954. At the start of the dinner Saturday, Eisenbrandt echoed President Woodrow Wilson's words of the first Armistice Day celebration in 1919, a year after World War I – known then as the Great War – which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Eisenbrandt recited Wilson's words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations..."

"This is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good," said Eisenbrandt, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. "It is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be celebrated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations," he added.

The 74-year-old Navy vet also told the crowd of a recent conversation with a Plains resident who had been called a hero by another because of his Purple Heart and Silver Star medals. Eisenbrandt said the man noted that the real heroes were the ones who didn't come back alive.

Saturday's celebration was also a fundraiser for the club, which carries out several community service projects, including two scholarships of $1,500 for Plains High School. They have also helped out veterans in need by purchasing groceries, gasoline, and other items. The fundraiser included a 50/50 drawing, the raffling off a side of beef, won by Dale Mathis of Plains. Eisenbrandt said they raised more than $2,000. They gave away more than 100 door prizes, all donated by Plains individuals and businesses, said Eisenbrandt.

This was the first year that the post held a silent auction as part of the festivities, raising $396 on the dozen donated items. The highest bid item was a crocheted American flag by Mary K. Browning for $100. Ken Jones donated several custom made wood items and a set of antique shoe cobbler tools. Nora Verpoorten, the winner of the $100 worth of groceries, donated a handmade wall sconce. The festivities included the drawing of a Savage 25-06 rifle with scope, won by David Proctor of Wyoming.

Karen Eisenbrandt, Joe's wife, and Carol Johnson did all the cooking for the dinner, which was open to everyone at no cost. The club also hired Highway 93, a local band, to provide music for the evening.

Numerous military veterans attended the party, from the youngest, 19-year-old Dakota Browning, a member of the Army Reserves, to Leslie "Shorty" Trueax, 91, who served in the Navy during World War II. Glen Rummel, 84, was the most senior club member, joining in 1956 after a two-year stint with the Army as part of the Occupation Forces in Germany.