By Gary Lee Stuber
Veterans in Clay County were once again honored and treated to a free meal for Veterans Day by the local Clay County Boy Scouts Troop 123 on Sunday afternoon on Nov. 9 at the Clay County High School cafeteria.
This has become an annual event sponsored primarily by the Boy Scouts of America in Clay. Hours were 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., allowing most veterans to finish church service and attend a great meal on the way home. Dinners were nominally priced for family and friends but veterans ate free. The meal was baked steak and gravy or ham steak (and veterans issued a name tag were offered both). Meal also included mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing and oversize school rolls. The meal also included a drink and a desert. Scouts maned the front table, acted as bus boys, waiters, assisting elderly to tables by carrying cafeteria trays to tables, and cleaned up afterward.
Many veterans, particularly war veterans, arrived in uniform and were treated with respect and honor by scouts tending to them. This has become an annual tradition at Clay, always the Sunday afternoon before Veterans Day.
The Boy Scouts Troup 123 wanted to thank their supporters who help then to honor Clay County veterans. These sponsors are: Clay County School District, Lizemores Fire Department, Cunningham Motors, Leggs Welding, Pisgha Free Will Baptist Church, Mullin Feed and Seed, and Chapman’s Feed Store. Thanks to these generous sponsors.
This has become a tradition in Clay County in November every year. Another tradition coming in the month of December is that many local churches get together and sponsor a free Christmas Dinner at this same high school on a Sunday afternoon just before Christmas. Details forthcoming. The dinner is typically a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings including pumpkin pie. This is offered FREE to all Clay County residents (and family members home for visits). Plan to participate.
Local restraunteur Judy Carr of Cool Car’s Dairy Bar in Bickmore offered veterans a free meal on Tuesday, Nov. 11, actual Veteran’s Day, a free meal too. This was two hot dogs made to order, fries and a soft drink.
