4-H group servesSFlbbreakfast for vets

By Virginia Ross

More than 40 local veterans and their families came out for the event.

EAST PALESTINE — For many local military veterans, the best part of waking up Saturday morning was the young folks servin’ up the pancakes and sausage at American Legion Post 31.

Some 40 military veterans from various eras and branches of the U.S. armed forces received their fill of coffee and other breakfast goodies during the annual veterans breakfast celebration sponsored and hosted by the East Palestine Country Clovers 4-H Club.

“You don’t have to wait long to get your food and any refills,” said Ray J. Guy, 62, of East Palestine and a Korean War veteran. “This is the best service I’ve received in a long time. They’re pretty quick and efficient. It’s great. I really appreciate this.”

Saturday marked Guy’s first time at the breakfast.

“But I had such a good time that if they let me, I’ll be back next year,” he said.

Some 30 youths helped cook for, serve and clean up after their guests. The breakfast, in its 10th year, has become an anticipated part of the Memorial Day weekend in the city.

The club pays for the food, and there’s no cost to the veterans or their family members. Money generated through fundraisers helps pay for the meal, which includes scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries, toast, fruit cups, breakfast cakes and coffee. The crew received many compliments throughout the morning, and no complaints.

“It’s something we do to give back to our veterans and show we really do appreciate them and all they’ve done,” said Lynn Guy, a breakfast organizer. “The veterans and their families love it, and the kids love it. The kids can give something to the veterans, recognition and respect, and at the same time talk to them and learn something about them.”

Members of the club also entertained the veterans by singing several patriotic songs, including “God Bless America” and “You’re A Grand Old Flag.”

Emily Crouch, 11, of Canfield, and a member of the Country Clovers, has served veterans at the past three breakfasts. She said the veterans don’t usually share the “bad stuff” about the wars or their time in the service, just the good experiences they had.

“They tell us whether they were in the Army or Navy or Marines and what years they were in,” she said. “Some of them have told me what wars they were in, but they don’t usually tell us about any specific battles or anything. Some of them talk about the friends they had and the people they served with. It’s interesting.

“Most of the time we’re busy just trying to make sure everyone has enough to eat and that they’re getting what they want. That’s really important to us, that they know we want to make sure they get enough and that they’re happy,” she added.

Warren J. Kale, 82, of East Palestine, said a high point of the morning is visiting with other veterans he doesn’t get to see very often.

“I’ve come the last few years and it’s always a good morning,” said Kale, a World War II and Korean War veteran. “The company’s good and you can tell the kids have really worked hard, and that means a lot. It means a lot to all of us. There’s a community here with the vets and their families. We’re really grateful for what these young folks have done for us. It’s always nice to be appreciated.”

The Country Clovers 4-H Club is selling cookbooks featuring recipes submitted by various community members. The cookbooks cost $9, and a portion of the proceeds go to the Columbiana County 4-H Club.

To purchase a cookbook or to obtain additional information about the club or its activities, call Lynn Guy at (330) 426-6233.