Never invite a vet to a free resturant dinner for Vet day!!

My DH is a vet of 35 years service (mostly reserve  component  but he still served. )   I wanted to take him out to our local ponderosa for the free dinner tonight.   I mentioned to my stepdad  yesterday and he called this am  inviting me to come over to get him so he could join.  Fine,  I do like the old gent!   I got there to find his brother also coming to spend the week and get his well deserved dinner also.   Got ready to go out for dinner,  we went to pick up a couple of elderly gents from church  who kinda invited themselves  along since they couldn't drive.   Instead of 2 gentlemen there were 11 waiting for us!    So home we go to get stepdads van also and just kind  of shoe-spooned   14 elderly vets  plus DH and myself into the two vans.I did think to call the ponderosa to for warn of a large group coming thankfully.    Got all the gents through the salad line   finally and all seated when several of the local gents noticed some other old gents alone in line  so invited them to sit with our little group!!   we ended up with 24 at our  table.     come time to go back to buffet line  it would have taken  forever for the old gents to go through  the line again  and there was a long line waiting for tables.    I started fixing plates   just putting little bits of everything on the plates.  With DH  help  and a young waitress  also  we got them all served and happy!  I fixed my plate  and almost got sat down  when the old gents   needed more meatballs or  chicken wings or more fish or that good tater salad!      I ended up  just loading a plate with each thing and let them pass it around to share.    Then  desserts were wanted!   and of course  all needed ice cream on the   cheese cake   bread putting or  apple crisp!     and of course  the countless cups of coffee consumed along with several loaves of banana bread  and homemade rolls!       OH  such  a good time they had.!!!   they weren't ready to go home so dear stepdad invited the whole crew over here for more  chitchat and endless cups of tea and hot cocoa.      They are still littering my living room!    I am not sure they are gonna go home tonight!   all kinds of war stories out there!        
 All because I thought my DH deserved a free dinner for his service!   and I just remembered!   I was the only one of a group of 24 who had to pay for my dinner   and I DIDNT GET TO EAT!!!!!!!

What a great story!  And how blessed to spend a great meal with 24 of our proud vets!  Well, dear, sorry you didn't get to eat but you did provide a wonderful time (and apparently still are!) to some well deserving gentlemen!  Please give them my many thanks for their wonderful service to our country, and give that DH of yours a big thanks as well!

Katherine
Albuquerque

What a great thing for you to do!  As another veteran, I want to thank you.

Jo

What a wonderful story!  And kudos for keeping your sense of humor throughout the whole thing.

Candy

Jo, maybe you didn't get to eat, but I bet you were grinning from ear to ear. You sure made me smile and I know those wonderful vets were so grateful! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

jo---how awesome!!!!!!!!
did anyone take pictures?

such memories that will come from this free dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This story just touched my heart. What an awesome thing you did for all these wonderful men!!  They will never forget this Veterans Day thanks to you and all the new memories they have.

Hugs...connie d

Hi Jo, what a wonderful gesture! I know it was a hassle but it will never be forgotten. This story made my day. Mona