Serving those who served
By GAYLE WEBER
Dean LeSage watched as 7-year-old Andrew Fisher towed his broom and dustpan behind him, searching for something to sweep up Monday night at Golden Corral.
"I think he's hoping someone will drop something so he'll have something to do," LeSage, a veteran of the Army Air Corps, said with a laugh.
Decked out in their scout uniforms, local Boy Scouts, including Fisher, volunteered their time to clean up after the free meal offered to veterans and active military at Golden Corral on Monday night.
LeSage said it was nice to see so many people out to support the veterans and especially to see young faces, like those of the Boy Scouts, volunteering their time.
"When I was a little bit bigger than that, I was a Boy Scout," LeSage said, pointing at Fisher. "We didn't have places like this to clean up."
But the scouts didn't mind.
"It's cool helping people," said third-grader Matt Fross.
The Boy Scouts cleared dishes from tables, swept floors and put smiles on faces as they did it.
"They've been just great," said Margaret Bloomer, who attends the military appreciation meal provided by Golden Corral every year with her husband, Joe, an Army veteran.
"We try to get other friends who are veterans to come with us," said Bloomer, a Russell resident.
Veterans, active military, their families and supporters of military personnel in general started filing in Golden Corral's doors as early as about 4 p.m. Monday with a steady stream still arriving after 7. That meant a lot of dishes for the Boy Scouts to pick up. Probably the highlight of the night for Fisher, Fross and another Bear, Gabe Harm, was receiving a flag patch from one of the veterans.
"When I get (my uniform), I'm going to get it sewn on," Harm said.
The ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday is a national event sponsored by Golden Corral that benefits Disabled American Veterans.