Hundreds Attend Veterans Dinner

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

As an Army veteran, Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens is grateful that a Veterans Dinner is held during the Seneca County Fair each year. This year’s dinner, held on July 27, was bigger than ever, serving about 300 people. The free dinner was open to any veteran and their family.

“The goal is to thank our veterans for their service and give them a chance to sit together for a dinner. A lot of them are friends,” said Mark Schreiner, a fair board member who organized this year’s event.

For over 20 years, Generations Realty has provided the meals for the Veterans Dinner.

“We’re just trying to serve as many people as we can,” said Generations Realty owner, Jim Conway. “I appreciate what the veterans do for us. We’re living our best life because of past and present veterans.”

Among the many veterans at the event were Vietnam War veterans Justin Elchert and Joe Frankart.

“This dinner is like a thank you from the world,” Elchert said.

While many Vietnam War veterans returned home to face hostility, both Elchert and Frankart said they were treated well by Seneca County residents. Frankart attributed it to the support that is unique to small communities.

The men were shown gratitude when they returned home from war, and they are grateful that Seneca County is still thanking them.

“It’s nice that Generations Realty does this. It’s a nice thing for the fair board to do for the community,” Frankart said. “Again – it’s that small community kindness. They don’t do these kinds of things in big cities.”