Copperas Cove VFW Post 8577 holds lunch for first responders

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

It’s been 19 years since the tragic September 11 attacks, but for many of us, the memories are still strong, many of us remember where we were or what we were doing when we first heard about the attacks.

With the ongoing pandemic, this year’s 9/11 memorial events looked a little bit different, but for many it was still important to do what they could to mark the occasion. 

Friday, September 11, Olan Forest Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8577 and its Auxiliary held a free First Responder Lunch starting at 11 a.m. First responders were invited out to enjoy free hamburgers, hotdogs, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Daren L. Stewart, Manager of the VFW, said that it was their way of showing their appreciation. Stewart said that he still remembers hearing about the 9/11 attacks. He said it was his first year in the Army, and he remembers hearing about it over the radio and later watched it on television.

“First responders, to me…it’s the same as being in the military. It is a brotherhood; you are family. And those guys went in without regard for their own lives to save someone else’s,” said Stewart about 9/11. “So, it is very important to us [to support them].”

Stewart said that they prepared about 80 hotdogs and 60 hamburgers and planned to serve the first responders as they came and went throughout the day.

“They can just come in, enjoy the food, then go about the rest of their day,” said Stewart.

Firefighters Dwane Cummings and Cody Bible were two of the first responders to attend the event. Both agreed that the food was good, and that they appreciated that the VFW is always supportive of the firefighters and the community in general. Cummings said that it’s nice that people continue to remember 9/11.

“It makes me happy that people haven’t forgotten what happened on 9/11,” said Cummings. “343 firefighters died there, over 100 police officers, all the innocent people that died…It just reinforces that their sacrifices haven’t been forgotten.”