Vietnam Veterans group and American Legion working together
Members of the Coshocton County Vietnam Veterans group wrap up breakfast before starting their business meeting on March 11 at the American Legion Post 65 on Main Street. The Legion offered to let the group use their building for meetings since they were currently meeting at a local restaurant. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Jen Holz is excited for the opportunity to give the Coshocton County Vietnam Veterans group a place to call home.
“We will be glad to have them at the Legion,” said Holz, who is commander of the American Legion Post 65. “They should be in a veterans’ club.”
The Vietnam Veterans were holding their monthly meetings at Hardee’s, but on March 11 they met for the first time at the American Legion.
“It’s a work in progress, but we will be glad to have them every month,” Holz said.
She, Legion member Joe Lavenski and Rollin Matthews, who is a member of the Legion’s executive board, prepared breakfast for the veterans who ate and socialized for an hour and then held their business meeting.
“As veterans need each other more and more I think it’s important that we start meeting in a veterans’ organization,” said Ed Skerness, who belongs to the Vietnam Veterans group.
He said the Coshocton County Vietnam Veterans plan to try meetings at the American Legion for three months and then as a group decide whether or not to make it their permanent meeting location.
“Breakfast for the first three months is on us and volunteers are doing the cooking,” Holz said. “Bill Milligan (a member of the Legion) is actually the one who has paid for it all.”
The Coshocton County Vietnam Veterans meet at 8 a.m. for breakfast and hold their business meeting at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month.
“We are still seeking members and it’s only $10 to become a life-time member,” Skerness said. “You can’t beat that.”
All Vietnam era veterans are welcome to join.
“Each year we do a bake sale which is our biggest money maker right now,” said Jack Patterson, finance officer for the Coshocton County Vietnam Veterans. “We also have a help the veteran fund and try to assist two to three families of Vietnam Veterans at Christmas time and have a real nice picnic where the families have a good time getting together.”
Category: Clubs & Organizations
