Many events have been postponed or canceled since March of 2020, and it makes one realize just how connected the Tri-Community is; you recognize all of the events, especially the annual ones that bring us together. One of those events has been the Veterans Dinner. For the 26th Annual Veterans Dinner, there won’t be a “coronavirus” asterisk next to the year 2020. On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, Veterans and their guest will be able to participate in a drive-thru event at Serrano High School.
The annual event, largely planned and hosted by the Heritage School Builders Club with support from the Tri-Community Kiwanis and Snowline JUSD, takes their cue from Veterans themselves. In a recent Builder Club Newsletter, Builders Club advisor Todd Anton stated, “some said to me to ‘cancel it and wait until next year.’ NO WAY! Did our veterans say, ‘wait’ when things got tough? NO! Neither are we.” The kids began to brainstorm to figure out they could continue the annual tradition. The answer was to have a drive-up or drive-thru dinner where Veterans could drive up, get a take-home meal, and possibly view some surprise attractions as they drive through. Plus, there are plans to raffle off a big screen TV, as they have done in the past. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Chick-fil-A will be providing a hot meal for 300 Veterans, with much thanks to Kyle Zimmerman and his co-workers at Chick-fil-A. “While the drive-thru is not perfect, we still will honor our veterans as best as we can. Our focus this year is mostly on our Tri-Community Veterans in Wrightwood, Pinon Hills, Phelan, and Baldy Mesa and those areas within the Snowline School District,” said Anton.
Dinners are limited to the first 300, which means that each Veteran and their guest must each have a ticket. Tickets are free and will be available starting in late October at the Phelan Pizza Factory, DCB Bank in Phelan and Wrightwood, and at the Phelan McDonalds.
The goal of the Veterans Dinner is to bring veterans and students together in mutual respect and understanding. The purpose is to instill in our community youth that “Freedom is not free.”
The 26th Annual Veterans Dinner will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at the Serrano High School front parking lot from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Serrano High School is located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan. More information can be found at www.hdveteransdinner.com.
