HyVee employees estimate that over 600 veterans participated in the Veterans Day Breakfast. (KBUR/Meghan D’Souza)
Hy-Vee hosted its annual Veterans Day breakfast to recognize and thank veterans and active-duty military members for their service by offering them a complimentary meal.
The VFW conducted a flag ceremony and played “Taps” toward the beginning of the meal as veterans and their families sat together in what retired Marine Dave Shride described as a reunion.
“It’s nice to come to these soirees because you see people you haven’t seen since last year,” he said. “You really don’t see them that often except at little get-togethers like this.”
Of the military branches, Shride said he chose to join the Marine Corp because his father had been a Marine.
“See, I don’t consider it much of a sacrifice to serve my country,” he stated. “It was my duty, and it was an honor to do it.”
Until November 30, Hy-Vee customers can support veterans by rounding their purchases up to the next dollar — or a desired dollar amount — at checkout. Hy-Vee will match customer donations, up to $100,000.
All proceeds from Hy-Vee’s Round Up program benefit four organizations that support veterans and their families.
