In a heartfelt show of gratitude, the community came together Wednesday, Nov. 13, for a memorable evening to honor those who have served in the armed forces. The 30th Annual Veterans Dinner, held at Serrano High School, brought together local veterans and their families for an evening of celebration, reflection and appreciation.
The annual dinner has grown substantially over the past 30 years, as evidenced by the packed auditorium that night.
According to the HD Veterans Dinner website, “The Kiwanis Tri-Community Veterans Dinner began 30 years ago to honor and appreciate the men and women who have served our country. The dinner is run by junior high and high school students as a way to bridge the gap of appreciation from generation to generation. As the event has grown, so has the vision; what started as a dinner in Mr. Anton’s classroom for fewer than 50 people has now become a community event where dinner is served to almost 1,000 people each year.”
This year’s event began with the national anthem, followed by patriotic performances by the Serrano High School Jazz Band and Serrano Choir before dinner was served. Snowline students then graciously distributed the meals, catered by Wild Bill’s Smokey Meats, a local business in nearby Hesperia. The Victorville Chick-fil-A, owned by Serrano and Heritage School alumnus Kyle Zimmerman, provided brownies, while Daughters of the American Revolution, a national nonprofit organization, served slices of cake.
As the veterans and their guests enjoyed dinner and dessert, Snowline students from the Key Club, Heritage Builders and Serrano Cadet Corps personally delivered handwritten thank-you letters from students throughout Snowline Schools. The cards expressed deep gratitude for the heroes who have served our country, some complete with drawings of American flags, soldiers, hearts and symbols of freedom.
Heritage teacher Todd Anton, who started the Veterans Dinner 30 years ago to connect his students with local veterans, ended the evening by saying, “I want to thank you all for your service, and I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you!”
Anton also highlighted members of the 2024 Tri-Community Kiwanis Club, who worked tirelessly to make the event a success, as well as Victorville Motors, a major sponsor for the dinner, along with other trusted local businesses.
From the warm welcome to the shared stories and camaraderie, the annual event served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms.
