World War II veterans Tom Pugh, left, and Allie Schrader draw names for the gun raffle at the Logan County Vets to D.C. reunion picnic, with Randy Knox holding the container for them. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
More than 200 attendees gather from six previous trips
A special reunion picnic took place over the weekend for a number of local veterans and their guests at Riverbirch Farms, Quincy, as a way to reconnect with friends and make new acquaintances following their travels to the nation’s capital with Logan County Vets to D.C.
Organizer Scott Stewart estimates that close to 250 people attended the Saturday, July 29, festivities, including about 30 volunteers, which was a celebration of the six trips that the organization has taken to D.C. since 2016. A seventh and final trip is slated for this September.
“We’re very happy with how everything turned out and appreciate everyone who help make the day an enjoyable time for our veterans and their family and friends,” Stewart said Monday.
“I had so many people tell me they enjoyed seeing friends they’d made from their trip; they really develop a bond while they spend three days together touring their memorials in D.C. and on the buses.
“It was nice for them to relive those experiences, and also to meet new people from different trips to reminisce with them as well.”
An area service group — the Minster Journeyman’s Club — made sure that the veteran guests were well-fed at the picnic, serving up a hearty spread of picnic fare. They donated the meal prep services and about a dozen members dished out food at the event. They also donated all of the cost of the meal as well.
“We approached Scott about doing this; we know Vets to D.C. is a wonderful organization and a number of members of our group are veterans as well,” Brian Schmiesing said as the food service was wrapping up.
Minster Journeyman’s Club member Dale Bensman, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said the group prepped enough food for 400 people in a two-day endeavor. They smoked pork for sandwiches the day before and made coleslaw from scratch, along with lots of other food preparations.
“This is the first time we’ve served this many people all at once,” he said.
The reunion was also supported by a number of generous organizations, businesses and individuals, including through items for the raffle drawings, Stewart said.
Two World War II veterans — Allie Schrader and Tom Pugh — served in an honored role as the individuals who picked the winners for the gun raffle.
Pugh, a 95-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran, attended the Logan County Vets to D.C. trip several years ago with his son, Rick Pugh, 73, a Vietnam War U.S. Army veteran.
“We were very fortunate to attend the trip together,” Rick said during the picnic. “One of the highlights was receiving letters written to us by local school children. That was pretty special.”
Tom Pugh also was accompanied at the picnic by his wife of 73 years, Marilyn, age 93.
Ross Sellars, who attended the first Logan County Vets to D.C. trip in 2016 and has gone on each trip ever since as a volunteer, was one of the many volunteers assisting with the day’s activities, including by offering tours of his son’s 5-ton U.S. Army troop carrier on the grounds for the occasion.
“It’s been rewarding and enjoyable to be a part of this organization, being able to give back to those who gave us so much — our freedom,” he said. “It’s been a great day fellowshipping with everyone again.”
With the final trip to D.C. approaching in September, the largest contingent yet of three charter buses are slated to leave Logan County Friday, Sept. 22, and then arriving back home, Sunday, Sept. 24.
The honored veteran guests, who served during the time of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, attend the trip free of charge through fundraisers and many generous donations in the community.
“Since the inception of our group, there has always been such amazing community support of Logan County Vets to D.C.,” Stewart said. “Bellefontaine and all of Logan County should be proud. There’s always people stepping up to help with everything we need.”
Even after the final trip, Logan County Vets to D.C. plans to continue hosting these types of events and its mission of supporting retired service members.
“Our volunteer group will not disband. We have other plans for dinners and outreach projects to serve our local veterans,” the organizer said.
Norman Chambers of Bellefontaine, a Korean War veteran, sings “God Bless America” during the Logan County Vets to D.C. reunion picnic. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Mason Spring, left, enjoys checking out a U.S. Army troop carrier that was in Operation Desert Storm, with the help of Ross Sellars, at the far right. (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
