BEAUMONT, Texas — Veterans Day is a day to honor the men and women who bravely served our country and Southeast Texas is observing the day with various evets.
VFW Post 2775 in Orange held a luncheon to thank veterans and organizers received a surprise check to help even more Southeast Texas veterans.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) operates on donations from members and the community.
12News caught up with Seth Watkins, the commander of Post 2775 to learn how they plan to spend the money.
Golden Triangle Polymers completely surprised the VFW Post 2775 with a $20,000 check on Monday morning. They say they wanted to give back in a way that could impact many veterans' lives.
"Just means that there's somebody out there that still cares about veterans, which is a big deal in today's world," said Watkins.
Veterans in Orange got a big surprise at their annual Veterans Day luncheon.
"Today we're donating $20,000 to VFW Post 2775," said Chad Jennings, the plant manager for Golden Triangle Polymers.
Jennings says it's an honor to give back to VFW Post 2775.
"We wanted to recognize our veterans, both in the community and in our plant. And secondly we wanted to make a charitable contribution," Jennings said.
The funds will go to needed repairs at the facility.
"We think it's very special. The opportunity one to go to those that are in need and the building. This is a community gathering place for those that find solidarity and maybe compassion for others that don't understand what they've gone through," said Jennings.
That is just one of the ways the VFW helps veterans returning home from wars.
"Biggest thing we provide is a place for any veteran no matter what they went through to come in and have a safe area. If they need to vent or just hangout with other veterans and have a good time," said Watkins.
Watkins says the rest of the money will go into the Veterans' Relief Fund.
"For veterans or their spouses or children. Whenever they come to us and they help with a bill," he says.
Watkins and other vets in attendance encourage veterans who may not be involved in their local VFW to consider joining to continue the community they've cultivated.
"If the younger generation doesn't start stepping up and the VFWs nationwide they're going to begin to fail and that's not a good thing for our nation," Watkins said.