Next week Thursday is a day of Thanksgiving and as always, it is a time when we find there’s more traffic on the roads, the stores are more crowded, turkeys and hams prices go down a bit cranberries pop up everywhere, yams abound and the shelves empty faster.

Thanksgiving is not only a day to be thankful, but also a time to remember those who have served their country. A good way to do that is to stop in at any VFW or American Legion and let the members know they are appreciated. The military is a special living arrangement and returning from the time served, adjusting to regular civilian life is often difficult. That’s why the VFW and American Legion are so important.

Here in Lehigh Acres at 25 S. Homestead Road, our Little Post with a Big Heart has been around since 1967. We have been proud to be VFW Post 4174 which has been fortunate to be and have been the home of many, many veterans over these long years.

We don’t only honor our veterans, though. We work within our community to also assist schools, our sheriffs, and our firefighters whenever we have the opportunity to do so. The post is open to the public for its meals and many activities. We are always glad to welcome new members, honor the older members and remember them with different ceremonies throughout the year.

Next Thursday, beginning at 12:00 noon, we are having a turkey dinner complete with all the fixings. The feast is being cooked by volunteers and the donations for the food items have all come from our members. We are joined together as a family and really believe in the comradery which was learned while serving in the military.

We have many things to be thankful for, but none so important as those of our members who took an oath when still in their late teens to serve our country, and they have never relinquished the following of that oath. We thank them with all our hearts and hope everyone who comes into contact with any veteran can remember to let them know they are appreciated.

Stop by our Post sometime. You’ll be glad you did!