Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
GRINS GALORE shine during the annual Thanksgiving dinner at VFW Post 3673 in Bessemer. Garren Stenstrom of Ironwood smiles after filling his plate with all the traditional fixings.
By BRENDA MOSELEY
Bessemer - Blustery winds and snow did not stop 220 people from attending VFW Post 3673's annual Thanksgiving meal in Bessemer.Every seat was occupied at the free event.
"Everybody's happy and talking - families, veterans, seniors and singles who would otherwise be alone," said Post Commander Donna Frello.
While smiling and watching the crowd, she said it was just the kind of comaraderie she was hoping for when she and other post members initiated the dinner eight years ago.
They remembered how hard it was to be away from family and friends on holidays and how creating new traditions and communities on their own bases had helped.
"It's a beautiful event," said Frello, who continues to help organize each year's meal.
Before the meal, veteran Ron Zaleski thanked those who had served in the U.S. Armed Forces and remembered service members listed as missing in action or prisoners of war.
The Rev. Dominic Agyapong of the St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Diocese church in Bessemer and retired prison chaplain James Vilgo led the group in prayers.
Post members also helped those unable to attend, providing 120 takeout meals.
The Michigan State Police, Gogebic County Sheriff's office and Ironwood Public Safety Department assisted with 125 deliveries to homebound residents.
Volunteers like Judy Ruditis worked for two days, peeling hundreds of potatoes and sweet potatoes, prepping corn and green beans, and baking 140 pounds of ham, 220 pounds of turkey and 50 beautiful pies.
