Veterans’ Celebration ready, donating

Bob Ward hands Kevin Knight and Michael Lehew a check for $500 to help enable the band to attend a special event in Chicago later this year.
Bob Ward hands Kevin Knight and Michael Lehew a check for $500 to help enable the band to attend a special event in Chicago later this year.

CROSBY – This Veteran’s weekend is the Centennial of the signing of the Armistice that ended the War to End All Wars and the Eastside Veteran’s Celebration (EVC) is keeping their Veteran’s Day celebrating active by hosting a parade, ceremony, dinner and bake off on Saturday, Nov. 10.

In the interim as they made plans, they raised funds for two Crosby High School activities that needed support. Eastside Veteran’s Celebration donated $500 to the Crosby Band trying to raise funds to go to a special band event in Chicago and $500 to the Crosby High School JROTC. Eastside Veteran’s Celebration curtailed their annual cook-off and will do without the Red, White and U ceremony done by Crosby High School.

Starting anew annually, EVC is intent on building for the future with Liberty and Justice two Piggy Banks seeking donations to build a permanent veteran’s memorial.

Those that would like to help are asked to attend the $10 dinner on Nov. 10 and purchase raffle tickets from members of EVC or at ACE Hardware for a military engraved M1911 Springfield .45 Caliber A.P.C., a $2,000 vacation voucher or a $500 gift card. Tickets are $10 or 3 for $25. Another raffle is for a quilt is $1 per ticket or $5 for 7.

On November 10 EVC will host a parade that will line up at 9:00 a.m. and at 10:00 a.m. leave the Middle School’s north exit and proceed north on FM 2100 exit FM 2100 at First St. and go left at Wahl Street and left again at FM 2100 then back to the Middle School.

Once reassembled at the American Legion Hall, ceremonies salute the veterans and first responders with a bake off, and complementary meal for about 350 veterans and a guest, serving all $10 a plate buyers until about 4:00 p.m. Special salutatory services and recognitions begin at 11:30 a.m. as does the dinner for veterans and first responders.