Record crowd enjoys Veterans Recognition Reception
Register-HeraldNov 09, 2018
All 122 of the veterans in attendance received a pie from Shoney's to take home, with the promise of a second pie in the week leading up to
"This is great," exclaimed
The chair massages were provided by seven students from the massage therapy program offered at
A veteran of the
An annual guest at the reception for the past three or four years, Martin was enthusiastic about the event.
"I already got a pie, and I'll get another one on the 20th," she said with a smile. "This is a gift that keeps on giving."
----"I thought I might see someone I know," said
It was Hanshew's first time to attend the recognition reception, although he and his wife noted they have enjoyed other veterans-related events in
Hanshew is an Army veteran, having served from 1969 to 1971.
----
"I got involved in the
He said he had particularly enjoyed the socializing and camaraderie at the event. "And I might get a pie," he added.
----What began with a barber's chair in one corner of the cavernous room developed into an impromptu barbershop before the event ended.
"People congregated here to shoot the breeze," master barber
The proprietor of Mike's Barbershop in
It seemed to be working out well for both barber and customers, as they bantered back and forth.
"I've met a lot of good fellows here today," the amiable Lane said.
----Another busy spot on the edge of the room belonged to the previously-mentioned New River CTC massage therapy class.
Instructor
"The veterans were enthusiastic from the beginning today," Stratton said. "Usually people hang back at first and wait for somebody else to be the first to step up to a chair, but that wasn't the case here at all."
Student
"We had over 20 clients in the first hour," Kinser said. "We're limiting them to no more than 15 minutes, in order to accommodate everyone who wants a massage."
----Sponsors of the Veterans Recognition Reception were the
In addition to the 122 veterans on hand, 51 non-veterans -- mostly spouses -- were also in attendance at the event.
-- Email: talvey@register-herald.com
___
(c)2018 The Register-Herald (Beckley, W.Va.)
Visit The Register-Herald (Beckley, W.Va.) at www.register-herald.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.