COLCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) – A Colchester nonprofit provides a place for local veterans to connect and give thanks. And this year, was their fourth providing Thanksgiving meals to the community.
“The military is like an extended family,” veteran Lloyd Goodrow said. “That’s why we come.”
“And friends, too,” added his son, Daniel.
Volunteers at Josh’s House expected to serve about 60 veterans and their family members throughout the day.
“We like to make sure that veterans have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. You know we are so grateful to them for their service, so this is another day that we can show our gratitude to them,” said Andrea Gagner-Murphy, the executive director of Josh’s House.
She put the meal together with the help of four volunteers. They spent two days cooking the classics: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and green beans.
“I haven’t had dessert yet, so that will probably be my favorite because I’m a pumpkin pie fanatic. But as for the food, the sweet potatoes were fire,” said Connie Anania, a veteran.
Many of the veterans came not just for the food but for the camaraderie.
“It’s not like you’re surrounded by just regular friends. These are friends that have also put themselves in the line of fire. That’s a whole different kind of family,” Anania said.
Any leftover food will end up on their food shelf for those unable to stop by in time.
“The holidays can be really difficult for people and so making sure that we have a spot for them to come and be among others is wonderful,” Gagner-Murphy said.
The warm meals at Josh’s House extend past Thanksgiving. Veterans can stop by every day of the week to get something hot to eat.
Josh’s House and the Josh Pallotta Fund are named for a Vermont Guardsman who struggled with his injuries and post-traumatic stress after deploying to Afghanistan. He took his own life in 2014. Josh’s House works to help veterans and aims to one day end veteran suicide.