Veterans Enjoy Free Breakfast

The American Legion Hall in Downtown Bakersfield was crowded with veterans and their families this past Veterans Day for the 60th annual Veterans Day Breakfast. Veterans received their free classic American breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage links, bacon, pancakes, and coffee, as early as 6:00 a.m.

The veterans were easily distinguished among the crowd, wearing army jackets, labelled t-shirts, medals, and caps identifying where they served. Most were labeled “Vietnam,” others “Korea,” and some both. There were also a few “WWII” caps gathered in a group surrounded by cameramen and the local news reporter.

Ron Veneras and Steve Webb enjoyed their breakfast and recalled where they met as part of the first all-Vietnam Kern County Honor Flight this past May, through which they were transported to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials to the war in which they served. When asked about the impact of the flight, Veneras responded with a cracked voice, “It was the welcome home we never received.”

Veneras and Webb learned on the flight that they both served in the same area of Vietnam at the same time. Veneras was 20 years old at the time and Webb was just out of high school, only 19. Since then, they’ve met up regularly and have looked forward to events for veterans, such as the breakfast. They confessed the amount of gratitude they feel for events like these, recognizing that the support from the community is largely needed.

The crowd also composed of many school children. Lucy Mosher and Leanne Park were among those who volunteered for the event on their day off. The Liberty High School students were up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready for the event. Lucy appeared very Rosie the Riveter-like, with an apron around her waist and a red hair scarf outlining her pinned up hair. She and Leanne made their way through the dining hall, which exceeded its 280 people capacity, collected trash and refilled coffee and orange juice. The girls are part of the Dream Catchers organization, which Lucy described as a Make-a-Wish for the elderly.

The high school students were joined by the local boy scouts who promptly brought breakfast plates to the veterans unable to stand in line. As veterans finished and headed out, to wait on the parade, more entered. The breakfast line made its way out the entrance door, but everyone seemed to enjoy the time with friends.

Veteran friends Andrew Sanchez, Arturo Gonzalez, and Charlie Rodriguez talked about life during and after Vietnam. They remembered the unpopularity of the war in the 70’s and are thankful for the welcoming environment the breakfast provides. “Never missed it (the breakfast). I wouldn’t miss it, you know why? Because I get to see these guys,” one of them said.

The breakfast has been organized by the Kern Law Enforcement Association, which donates the food, for the past 60 years. This was the third year the breakfast was held at the American Legion Hall, the previous years it was held in the association’s hall.

The president of KLEA, Marc Haiungs, was outside in the back of the building flipping rows of pancakes on a grill. He said that the association begins organizing the event in September and that volunteers are never hard to find. Many volunteers are family members of those in the association; his wife was also preparing meals. He sends out information to the press weeks before the event and gets rapid responses from local schools and organizations wanting to volunteer. “There is a lot of people, every year it seems like there is more,” Haiungs said.

The breakfast was followed by the Veteran’s Parade which began at 10:00 a.m. on 21st and L Street downtown. The city also hosted a morning ceremony at the Kern’s Veterans Memorial on Truxton Ave.