Story courtesy of Scott Cook (scook@abc6.com/@SCookABC6) and ABC 6/WLNE-TV.
Dozens of veterans were up early Monday morning, enjoying some camaraderie and a pancake breakfast at Bishop Hendricken High
WARWICK, RI – Dozens of veterans were up early Monday morning, enjoying some camaraderie and breakfast at Bishop Hendricken High.
“Hey, I’ll tell you it was a good pancake,” said Terry Siravo, a Vietnam Veteran.
“It was a nice breakfast,” said Ed Bowen, also a Vietnam veteran. “He does a good job for us.”
He is Bill Johnston, a teacher and coach at Hendricken, who is responsible for the event and its famous pancakes.
“They willingly put themselves in harms way, and we can never forget that,” said Johnston.
This is the third year Johnston has hosted the breakfast at Hendricken — his small way of saying thanks to those who have served our country. “A lot of students of mine have gone on to the military, and I just want them to know we are thinking about them all the time,” Johnston explained.
“This school does a lot for their alumni,” said Ed Bowen. “I appreciate what happens at this school.”
But the folks who attended Monday’s event weren’t Johnston’s students. They were Vietnam vets, Korea vets, and veterans of the Gulf War.
“I enjoyed the camaraderie, talking about the past, having conversations about where we served,” said Joe Luszcz, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam.
“It’s a humbling day,” explained Terry Siravo. “My era didn’t get the greatest welcome, but its turned around. It’s nice to be thanked every now and then.”
Aside from breakfast, Hendricken High collected items like calling cards, snacks, toiletries, and other useful items to send to troops who are currently deployed.
“It means a lot what they do for veterans now a days,” said Ed Bowen.
“I just want to let them know – thank you, and whatever we can do to help, we are willing to do,” explained Johnston.
Johnston’s goal today was to serve at least 200 veterans. Bishop Hendricken didn’t quite hit those numbers, but they say it was one of the larger turnouts they’ve had.
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