By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

More than 200 veterans and their guests were welcomed at the annual Veterans Breakfast at the Oxford Senior Center last Saturday.

The volunteers, led by Clarissa Sherrow, start their day at 5:30 a.m. to begin preparing food as a way to honor the veterans for their service to this country.

Sherrow explained, “We get a donation from the Oxford Chamber of Commerce and from a private donor to thank the veterans for their service.”

Volunteers include Desert Knights Motorcycle Club of Chester County, school teachers, bank managers, chefs, servers  and many who look at the Veterans Breakfast as the least they can do for the men and women who served their country. 

In addition to a hearty meal of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon, the veterans also received important information about the benefits that they are eligible for and more.

One item they received was a star. The star program started in the mid-1950s, when a group

of ladies from Florida wanted to do something for the men and women going to Korea. They got permission to cut the stars from flags that were retired and going to be destroyed. They cut the stars and gave them out to all military members. In 2008, the Pease Greeters in Portsmouth, NH also did this program and added a poem to the star and put them in little plastic bags. 

Some of the important information that the veterans received provided an update on benefits at the local Veteran Administrations, plus any other benefits that may be available to them.

The most important gift at the breakfast, however, is that of camaraderie—the event gives the veterans a chance to talk with other veterans and meet up with friends. Children and grandchildren can experience a very important learning moment. 

The next event for Sherrow will be the Wreaths Across America initiative. More information will be coming soon so the community can be involved with that.