Silver Lake American Legion Auxiliary hosts vets

Several generations of the LaViolette family made veterans feel welcome. (Front row, from left) daughters Lori Horvath, Karen LaViolette, Sam Kahn, Cindi Chapman. (Middle) Olivia Horvath, granddaughter; Rylee Schaefer, granddaughter; Jack Horvath, grandson; Linley Cooper, great granddaughter; Patti Faber, daughter; (Back row) Kristen Chapman, granddaughter; Alice LaViolette, family matriarch, Jaclyn Faber, granddaughter (Gail Peckler-Dziki/The Report).
Several generations of the LaViolette family made veterans feel welcome. (Front row, from left) daughters Lori Horvath, Karen LaViolette, Sam Kahn, Cindi Chapman. (Middle) Olivia Horvath, granddaughter; Rylee Schaefer, granddaughter; Jack Horvath, grandson; Linley Cooper, great granddaughter; Patti Faber, daughter; (Back row) Kristen Chapman, granddaughter; Alice LaViolette, family matriarch, Jaclyn Faber, granddaughter (Gail Peckler-Dziki/The Report).

By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent

Veterans from the Clement Zablocki VA in Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove enjoyed some small town hospitality on July 28 when the American Legion Auxiliary hosted a day of fun, food and entertainment.

Of the 39 veterans that attended, 33 came from both facilities, and six were in the community.

For more than 20 years, the Ladies of the Auxiliary has hosted the event, which include serving a meal.

The roast beef came from Best Bargains and everyone pitched in to bring other things like mashed potatoes and fruit cups.

The husband and wife team, Ron and Mary Estrada, of “It’s Showtime”, provided musical entertainment, with songs from the 40’s and 50’s.

Several veterans returned for their second and third years.

Frank Gutierrez, a member of American Legion Post 498 at the Zablock Center, served in the United States Marine Corps as a cook and baker at Camp Jejune from 1981 to 1984.

“I love coming here because they make you feel loved and welcome,” he said.

Tablemates Tim Rateike, an artillery member that served during the Vietnam era in the 8th Infantry Division of the Army at the Baumholder Base in Germany from 1971 through 1973 and Jack Guerin, who served in the Army Infantry during the Korean War are appreciative of the veterans service.

While both were appreciative, all others expressed the same sentiment, noting Silver Lake’s friendly atmosphere.

Connie Kohler, an auxiliary member, said, “We gave away $150 in prizes during bingo. Every vet went home with a gift, a lunch cooler that had several useful gifts inside.”


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