Local Hy-Vee stores spent Veterans Day morning thanking the men and women who have served in the military.
From 6 to 10 a.m., employees served breakfast to veterans and active-duty service members—a meal offered as a thank-you for their service.
“We have a number of Hy-Vee employees who are veterans, and one of the things we do as a company for those folks is give them a paid day off today. Obviously, they can come in and get a free meal as well.” said Adam Krepela
Don Hoffmann stopped by to share a little about his time in the military.
“I enlisted in 1968 with a buddy. We went in on the buddy system, and I became a radioman. I was in for four years. I never went to Vietnam. I was mainly in Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines.” Said Don Hoffmann
Wayne Garrtels says military service runs in his family. His father and older brother both served in the Navy, and he followed in their footsteps.
“I enlisted at the end of 1969, in December, and spent four years in the Navy. I wasn’t drafted, but my dad was in the Navy, and my older brother was in the Navy. They seemed to enjoy it, and I felt a sense of patriotism, even though the Vietnam War was still going on. That didn’t deter me. I felt like everyone should serve their country in one way or another. It was some of the best four years of my life. I didn’t stay in, but I would do it all over again.” said Garrtels
For the veterans who stopped in, the meal was a small gesture of thanks—and a chance to share the stories behind their service.
Dining and Cooking