Pahrump DAV Chapter readying for annual Veteran Appreciation BBQ
Officials with Pahrump Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 are inviting the community to spend Saturday in the park and enjoy some barbecue.
The event is the annual Veterans Appreciation BBQ from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ian Deutch Memorial Park.
Organizer Terry L. Janke, 1st Jr. Vice Commander, said the BBQ is free for all veterans and immediate family members, along with caregivers of veterans.
Civilians age 12 and over are $5 while those under 12 years of age will pay $2.
The event is a show of appreciation to military personnel.
“We will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs along with baked beans and some other side dishes,” he said. “All they need to show is an ID, DD-214, or a VA medical card, or something that proves they are a veteran and they and their families can eat free.”
Along with the BBQ, Janke said organizers have also lined up entertainment and a chance to win prizes for those in attendance.
“We will have two live bands and a 50/50 raffle,” he said. “We will also have over 50 raffle items. This year we have a special raffle of a 1995 Kawasaki KZ 1000 motorcycle. Raffle tickets for that are $20 each and we are only going to sell 250 tickets for that particular raffle. We are holding the drawing on May 28th at the GI USA store.”
The DAV, Janke noted, routinely assists area veterans with various needs.
Saturday’s event serves as a fundraiser for the program.
“Our sole purpose is for the veterans and their families,” he said. “Of course we do a lot of work with our homeless veterans. “We help them out with food and often take water out into the desert to help those veterans. If we run across somebody out there who is not a veteran but is in need, we help them also.”
As an annual event, Janke said the appreciation BBQ is gaining more popularity each year.
“Last year they had planned on about 200 people in attendance but they actually had to run out and get more food,” he said. “This year we are starting out looking at about 300 but I think we may exceed that also.”
As an added bonus, Janke said the Pahrump Senior Center is also providing assistance, by way of transportation.
“We have something special going on this year where the Pahrump Senior Center has stepped up and they are going to provide transportation to veterans who need assistance getting out to the BBQ,” he said. “They just need to contact the senior center transportation department and make arrangements to be picked up and delivered back home. We are all hoping the weather is going to cooperate with us and everybody is welcome to come out to the park and support our local veterans.”
The Pahrump Senior Center can be reached at 775 727-5008.
