Melvindale City Council President and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Joe Jackson (second from right) joins other veterans and their families at a Veterans Dinner Nov. 9 at the Melvindale Community Event Center.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – The city held its third annual Veterans Dinner Nov. 9 at the Community Event Center, with donated food, raffles and a friendly camaraderie.
City Councilmember Dawn Cartrette said a Veterans Committee for the city was formed three years ago, and held luncheons for veterans the first two years, then decided to make it an evening meal this year to give more people an opportunity to attend.
She said Sabina’s Restaurant in Melvindale and Roman Village in Dearborn donated food for the dinner, as did supporters of the Veterans Committee.
“We are hoping it will get bigger and bigger each year,” Cartrette said. “Last year we probably had about 40 people here, so we are hoping for that tonight or more. We’re hoping by next year we can fill the hall.”
City Council President and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Joe Jackson said the Veterans Committee, started three years ago, has been successful.
“It was important to do something for the veterans, because there was nothing here for them,” he said. “And that’s not unique to us.
“It used to be that veterans were honored on a regular basis, and now it’s hard to see events that honor veterans on a regular basis besides these to holidays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.”
Jackson said that the veterans present served in the Gulf War and Desert Storm or during the Vietnam War era.
Veterans and their families and friends enjoy a Nov. 9 Veterans Dinner at the Melvindale Community Event Center.
Melvindale City Councilmember Dawn Cartrette (second from left) joins veterans and their family and friends Nov. 9 for a Veterans Dinner at the Melvindale Community Event Center.
Above and below, veterans and their families and friends enjoy a Nov. 9 Veterans Dinner at the Melvindale Community Event Center.
