Annual dinner honors local vets

KENNETT SQUARE » Patriotism and remembrance were the themes of the evening at the Veterans Dinner at the American Legion building on Sunday night.

About 150 veterans and friends shared a dinner provided by the Giant food store, and they heard state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, update them on his activities in Harrisburg.

The organizer of the event, Bill Taylor (who also produces the annual Memorial Day Parade) said he got a little — but nice — surprise shortly before the event. It was even too late to put it in the

program:

Girl Scout leader Kelly Smith arranged with Taylor to request members of her troop to come to the dinner and bring a veteran along with them. Indeed, three brought their grandfathers, all veterans of the Vietnam War.

Barrar presented each of the girls in the troop with a certificate of recognition, and for the three who brought their grandfathers, he gave them pins recognizing their service.

Barrar, the evening’s speaker, said he loves his job in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and is especially pleased to be head of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees.

He had several messages for his audience about his activities.

He said he is working hard to make sure veterans are aware of new laws that affect them.

“I’m so afraid you’re not getting all you’re due,” he said.

He also said he worked on getting National Guard members their first raise in many years, and he’s proposing to have November named Veterans Month, rather than just one day on Nov. 11.

He presented an idea that appeals to him: He wants a special day for a lottery for which all of the money collected that day goes to help veterans’ programs.

Barrar reiterated what he had told the veterans at the Nov. 3 lunch at the Kennett Area Senior Center concerning the nationwide debate on athletes kneeling during the playing of the national anthem.

“I understand we have the right to protest, but there is a time and place. When we salute the flag, it is an act of gratitude, and schools today need to teach our kids the cost of war,” he said.

The evening began with an honor guard march from the rear to the front of the room with the American Legion and U.S. flags. Additionally, the small table in front dedicated to military members missing in action was explained.

The table is small and has an empty chair beside it for the fighters who didn’t come home. On the table are various symbols: a red rose for blood shed, a slice of lemon for the bitterness of war, an inverted glass to show they can’t be present and an American flag to show they sacrificed for the country.

The annual dinner is organized by Taylor and is provided free to local veterans.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Junior Girl Scout Penny Rhodes attaches a memorial pin on her grandfather, Larry Rhodes, a Vietnam War veteran, at the Veterans Dinner in Kennett Square on Sunday. The pins were provided by state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, who was also the guest speaker...

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Veteran Robert Dorsey brought his two granddaughters, Zasz and Taliyanna, to the Veterans Dinner in Kennett Square on Sunday.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A color guard march marked the start of the Veterans Dinner in Kennett Square on Sunday.

CHRIS BARBER — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Kelly Smith’s Girls Scout troop members were invited to bring a veteran to the Veterans Dinner. Three of them did, but they all got recognition by guest speaker, state Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160.