ATHENS, Texas (KLTV) – The tradition of spending Christmas with your family is taking a different shape for the VFW post in Athens.
For the 5th year, VFW post 71-03 is welcoming not just veterans, but community members for free meals.
“I have more satisfaction giving to other people, that’s what’s important to me. So I feel like the VFW can do that for members in the community, so that they can have something,” said Barbara Ampong, VFW Post 7103 Commander.
Ampong joined the post during a period where she herself had nowhere to go.
After finding the post and becoming a member, she helped bring this tradition wanting to help veterans and others who have been in a similar situation to her.
“I feel like I found my home and I found my extended family. It’s something I wanted other people to know they had somewhere to go. I don’t care if you are down on your luck, I don’t care if you don’t have a place to go, now you do,” said Ampong.
This year the post served just under 100 people.
To the other veterans at the post, its more than just a meal.
“I believe that having other veterans around, it’s very helpful for the mind, heart. Along with everybody else here, I can see it in their face. They love being around people that have been through the same situation that they have,” said Cassie Beason, the Senior Vice Commander at the post.
One seat at the post remained open for those who never made it home.
“One of the core principles of the VFW is that you remember the dead, while serving the living,” said Ampong.
All of the food given out was paid for by the post or donated from local restaurants, with all leftovers going to Lila Lane halfway home.
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