The Philadelphia Protestant Home last week hosted its annual Veterans Day luncheon.
More than 45 veterans live at the Protestant Home, and some of them gathered in the social hall for lunch.
Bill Conaway, Director of Community Relations, emceed the event.
The event featured remarks by state Reps. Anthony Bellmon and Jared Solomon, who is a captain in the Pennsylvania National Guard, along with Marine Gunnery Sgt. Richard Menchaca and Tom Groeber, of the Fleet Reserve Association.
Lunch was served by nine students at St. Cecilia Elementary School. The students were seventh-grader Cara McGettigan and eighth-graders Maeve King, Mary Klepesky, Presley Porretta, Ansleigh Lapacinski, Juliana Kimenour, Jonathan Matthews, Ellie Martinez and Leah McGettigan. They were accompanied by teachers Kelly Roney and Kathy McDonough.
Maeve read a VFW Patriot Pen essay, while Mary and Jonathan explained the significance of the POW/MIA table set for one.
The day included the Pledge of Allegiance; resident Calvin Clement leading everyone in the national anthem; prayer by Pastor Earl Scott, the PPH chaplain and an Air Force veteran; Machaca playing Taps; and Audrey Alston singing God Bless America.
Bellmon asked everyone to stand and applaud veterans in attendance.
Solomon, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, supports a bill to offer incentives to help the National Guard recruit members, particularly doctors, nurses and lawyers. He wants to improve conditions at military posts, including longer hours at the USO. He said PA VetConnect helps streamline the process for the state’s 800,000 veterans seeking care.
Groeber played the accordion and spoke of the Fleet Reserve Association, a 100-year-old organization that is open to enlisted members and officers of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. The FRA offers scholarships and holds an annual Americanism essay contest open to seventh- to 12th-graders. Essays are 350 words or fewer. This year’s topic is, “What would service to our country mean to me?” More information is at FRA.org. ••
