ALBANY - In what could be the final dinner of its kind, Green and Lafayette counties' veterans were able to spend time with other vets and families Saturday at the Albany Lions Club.
Green County Veterans Service Officer Keith Ingwell said funding for the dinner, which has been held for about 10 years, is no longer available. The annual event won't continue unless other groups come forward to help cover the cost of the dinner, he said.
Veterans weren't about to dwell on what might happen, however.
Every year, veterans and their spouses from around the area come to the dinner to meet old friends, make new friends and share a common bond of service in the military, either in a period of war or a time of peace.
Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Operation: Desert Storm and soldiers who served in the United States or overseas during the Cold War, have attended the dinner.
All of the veterans sacrificed, Nelson Miller, 83, Monroe, said.
Miller, who served in Europe at the end of World War II, said he's thankful that people honor veterans. He hopes people never stop showing veterans how much they appreciate what the soldiers did as young men.
He remembers being at events to commemorate Armistice Day as a child in Albany. He also remembers listening to stories from World War I veterans.
"It was a community event," he said of Armistice Day.
Armistice Day, refers to the WW I cease fire in Europe at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918.
Jerry Briggs, 38, Albany, attended his first dinner. A veteran of Desert Storm, Briggs served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994.
He came to the dinner to talk to other veterans and listen to their stories.
The men and women who served their country should always be honored, Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said.
"Thank you for your service to your country and for your continuing service," he said.
Green County Veterans Service Officer Keith Ingwell said funding for the dinner, which has been held for about 10 years, is no longer available. The annual event won't continue unless other groups come forward to help cover the cost of the dinner, he said.
Veterans weren't about to dwell on what might happen, however.
Every year, veterans and their spouses from around the area come to the dinner to meet old friends, make new friends and share a common bond of service in the military, either in a period of war or a time of peace.
Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Operation: Desert Storm and soldiers who served in the United States or overseas during the Cold War, have attended the dinner.
All of the veterans sacrificed, Nelson Miller, 83, Monroe, said.
Miller, who served in Europe at the end of World War II, said he's thankful that people honor veterans. He hopes people never stop showing veterans how much they appreciate what the soldiers did as young men.
He remembers being at events to commemorate Armistice Day as a child in Albany. He also remembers listening to stories from World War I veterans.
"It was a community event," he said of Armistice Day.
Armistice Day, refers to the WW I cease fire in Europe at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918.
Jerry Briggs, 38, Albany, attended his first dinner. A veteran of Desert Storm, Briggs served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994.
He came to the dinner to talk to other veterans and listen to their stories.
The men and women who served their country should always be honored, Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said.
"Thank you for your service to your country and for your continuing service," he said.