Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a national holiday meaning that I have a day off.  Gary had to work, so I spent a wonderful day at home to myself.  Got caught up on some reading that I have neglected.  I also worked on my photo project for the class that I'm taking in the afternoon. 

The weather didn't cooperate to drive to Billings for the day, besides Jennifer had to work.

We didn't know about the ceremonies that the schools put on for veteran's.  I think I read it in the brief's a while back but nothing was printed in the paper.  After lunch I dropped Gary back to work and on my way home, I saw all the students from the Primary School walking around the park and waving their little flags.  I didn't want to get caught with the crossing guard so went around the block.  Again I didn't think anything of the ceremonies that the school did.  I didn't see any veterans walking with the kids.

Gary called me later and asked if I wanted to go to the Veterans Dinner sponsored by the American Legion and VFW.  It was going to be held at Bob Hardt's place (across from Library) at 6:00.  We didn't have anything planned anyway so we went, especially when Gary was invited.  We were told to be early because the place would fill up fast.

We got there at 5:30 and didn't see a soul around.  We drove the loop thinking that there should be someone soon.  Got back and still didn't see anyone, we waited and finally people started to come.  Introductions were made, then we found a seat.  Pretty soon we had to put our name on a piece of paper for the door prize drawings.  Only veterans names were allowed to be drawn. 

They didn't get the crowd that they were expecting, must have been about 30 people in all.  The dinner was pot luck, I felt bad because I didn't bring anything.  Of course nothing was said about it being pot luck.

It still was a nice gathering, ate some good food and got some visiting in.  Then it came time for the door prize drawings.  Ended up that each veteran got 2 prizes and half of us got a 3rd prize.  Gary and I ended up winning 3 prizes each. 

There was a lady who came to the dinner, she is a different character.  She used to come into my office and talk to me about education and then she would get some clippings of my plants. 

I was the only woman veteran, and she couldn't figure out why her name wasn't being called.  Someone told her that only veteran's could win the prizes, she was a bit confused.  At the end as I was leaving she cornered me and asked if I was a veteran and what branch.  She seemed a bit surprised.

I won a free oil change to Hardin Chevrolet, a large pizza at Little Big Man and a free taco to Taco Johns.  Gary won a $15 gift certificate to True Value, a large pizza at Little Big Man and also a free taco to Taco Johns.

Gary and I both think that the names of the spouses should have been drawn as there were more than enough prizes. We are going to renew our membership to the American Legion, we figured since we ate their food we better be members.