MISSING MAN TABLE
The ballroom was packed for the annual Veterans Day dinner dance sponsored by the Veterans of the Glen. Guests were seated at tables decorated in patriotic red, white, and blue by members of Alpha Delta Alpha sorority. The banners displayed above the stage, representing each branch of the military, included a new addition this year. Members of the Alpha Delta Mu presented to the VOG at its October meeting a banner representing the Merchant Marines.
VOG President Bruce Johnson welcomed everyone to this festive evening that began with a brief ceremony to honor USA military veterans. As part of his presentation, Johnson reported that he had recently learned that the remains of a soldier who was killed in World War II had been found and would be returned to the family. With that in mind, Johnson explained the significance of the Missing Man’s Table set up in the front of the room. Johnson also announced that some new innovations like the use of the club’s new video equipment had been added to the ceremony. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by comedian Red Skelton from a charming skit he filmed years ago. A famous patriotic address by President Ronald Reagan was also played, then the video featured a trio of Andrews Sisters impersonatorswho led our veterans and their guests in singing the theme songs of their military branches.
Celebrating the service and sacrifice by our military is also an important part of this Veterans Day dance. A three-entrée buffet was prepared for the 265 Glenners in attendance, which included a slice of the red, white, and blue cakes donated by Rich Morea with Caldwell Bankers Realty and by Jerry and Lynn Kaminski.
The celebration continued as energetic dancers enjoyed the music by The Wilburys band sponsored by The Steil Group realtors.
When the band took its break, it was time to draw for the 65-inch TV door prize donated by The Glen Group and for the 50-50 cash prize. The 50-50 ticket sales and those for the raffle prizes were run by members of the Alpha Delta Mu sorority. The generous raffle prize donations by local businesses were collected by VOG board members Mike Zarella, Sandy Herde, Sue Savage, and Bruce Johnson. Janice Radcliff sponsored photographer Tina Lewis who spent the evening making a permanent record of all the festivities.
This patriotic event and its Christmas dance are major fundraising events for the VOG. The money they raise is donated to organizations and agencies that serve area veterans such as Hearts and Homes, the Lee-Collier Honor Flights, and All for Veterans, a service that focuses on helping veterans find treatment for PTSD.
