To honor Veterans Day, one Clinton County organization offered free meals to former service members and their guests. At American Legion Post 623 in Beech Creek, hundreds of veterans stopped by over the course of the afternoon to pick up a free meal in honor of their service.

“We’re just so appreciative of the veterans that we want to help them as much as we can,” said Dave Grimm, treasurer of the post.

This Veterans Day, Post 623 is giving back to those who have given so much. Grimm, a former veteran himself, says it’s as simple as saying thank you.

“It’s saying thank you to the veterans who have served us. And we have a tremendous amount of veterans out here,” said Grimm.

The post teamed up with PA Skill and Jack Houser Amusement to organize the meal giveaway, delivering hundreds of sandwiches to former service members and their guests.

Grimm says the event, a socially distanced drive-in, underscores the effort they’re making to help despite a surging pandemic.

“Because a lot of people, there was just a gentleman that drove by, and he doesn’t come out because of his health and so forth. So as a result, we take stuff to him,” said Grimm.

Post Commander Joe Hills says he’s proud to help run an organization that does so much for the veteran community.

“I’ll tell you what, this is one of the better, as far as I’m concerned, one of the legions that really supports the people around the community,” Hills said.

That support and token of thanks are greatly appreciated on this veterans day.

“It’s so great to see them reaching out to the veterans, because this time of the year and that just seems to be an important time for everyone. So we really appreciate it,” said Larry Butler, a Vietnam War veteran.

Organizers here at Post 623 say they’re truly grateful to have been able to hold a Veterans Day event. Many fundraisers and other efforts this year, of course, impacted by the coronavirus.

This article was originally published by PA Homepage November 11, 2020.