Peachtree – A celebration for veterans that started more than 20 years ago will continue to honor those who served.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home will hold its annual barbecue meal for veterans as a drive-through from noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church. There will be people directing traffic through the two stops in the drive-through lanes.
They plan to serve pulled pork on a bun, with sides of slaw and baked beans. There will also be a dessert and drink. They plan to serve 500 meals that day, including some that will be delivered.
However, there will be no program to go with the meal this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve always enjoyed being able to celebrate with them and honor them with a program,” Teresa Jefferies of Townson-Rose said. “We certainly wanted to acknowledge them. … We wanted to at least do something.”
Her father, Frank Rose, had a passion for veterans. She said the celebration started because he and the business wanted to recognize and honor veterans in some way.
The first Veterans Dinner meal was served outside the old Veterans Hut in 1998. The funeral home grilled and served hot dogs and hamburgers to less than 100 people.
Over the years, the meal has been at the L&N Train Depot, the former Econo Lodge and the old National Guard Armory. The program was added in about 2009, when local Boy Scouts asked about presenting a program at the meal.
“It was a good thing,” Jefferies said. “It put more light on the veterans, and showed how much they are cared for.”
Over the years the event grew, with more organizations and church groups adding to the program, and teenagers singing the national anthem. One thing Jefferies will miss is the inclusion of local students in the day.
“It’s so important for those kids to realize our freedoms are not free,” she said. “My heart is sad about that, but maybe next year.”
For details, call Townson-Rose Funeral Home at 837-2109. Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church is at 1650 N.C. 141.
Luncheon will still honor our veterans
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