The Rotary Club of Western Springs honored about 200 veterans and first responders with a steak fry luncheon on Friday at the Western Spring Baptist Church.
The Rotary Club has hosted this luncheon for 16 years.
Club President Jason Dobrzynski noted the motto Service before Self and said Rotary works with the community to provide this annual steak meal to deserving veterans and first responders. Community members were offered the opportunity to purchase a lunch ticket for $15, which would provide a steak dinner for a veteran or first responder attending the event.
More Top Picks Best Pop Up Canopy Tents
Sharon Flaim, a Rotary member who prepares all of the food except for the steaks, said the lunch menu included a hash brown casserole, tomato basil salad, broccoli in a butter sauce and dessert. Flaim said she enjoys doing the cooking and “giving back something to the veterans who have done so much for us.”
Steaks were cooked on a grill by volunteer Rotary Club members and were purchased from Casey’s Market with community donations. The public was welcome to attend the event and purchase a lunch ticket at the door.
Representatives from the Western Spring VFW and the La Grange American Legion also attended the event.
“The VFW community is honored to provide the color guard and flag to display at this event,” said Western Springs member Bruce Harken, who is a Marine veteran. He said those in attendance included Korea, Vietnam and World War II veterans.
Retirement community Plymouth Place provided transportation to resident veterans and families who wished to attend the luncheon. The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a short prayer. McClure Junior High students Annie Tracy and Gracie Regan sang the national anthem accompanied by McClure music director Kelly Kruiswyk.
Dave Doyle, an Army veteran from Indian Head Park, attended for the first time with friend Sam Scaccia from Schaumburg. Doyle said the friends “Wanted to meet up to discuss an Army reunion, and appreciated being invited to lunch by the community.”
Also attending for the first time was the La Grange Fire Department first shift responders.
“The food is very good and we are happy to be here,” said acting Chief Jeff Behland.
Grant Dixon, Rotary member, said the event was originally a fundraiser held by another organization and the Rotary Club decided to make it an event to honor veterans and first responders in our community.
The Rotary Club started the event in 2000 and it continues to have a high degree of participation.
The club’s next project is working on a December event to celebrate incoming and outgoing high school exchange students, Dobryzyski said.
Diane Dachota is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.