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Veterans talk about how military service influenced their lives during Aiken Rotary meeting In partnership with American Legion Post 232, Second Step for Warriors had its second annual meal with veterans on Nov. 9, which celebrated veterans by giving them a free meal. “Today is all about the veterans and their families,” Second Step for Warriors President Reuben Cooper said.
In addition to a meal, the veterans also had a chance to connect with other veterans, explore resources, listen to words of encouragement and take home a bucket full of home supplies from Home Depot. Plans for a community health center near North Augusta are in the works, serving Horse Creek area It was Second Step for Warriors' second year of providing meal for veterans and their families. “We decided to give back because the military was so good to us and we decided to give back to the community,” Cooper said.
Second Step for Warriors is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2016 to help veterans transition into civilian life through several programs, providing meals and volunteering in the community. “We are working with veterans and we do some of the same things, trying to help the veterans, community and whatever we can do,” American Legion Post 232 Commander James McKie Sr. said.
Marlyn Dobson spoke during the event and shared her story of how she made a career change. Dobson was a school teacher before she decided to join the military after Sept. 11, 2001.
“That affected me so much that I decided to serve my country,” she said. Army veteran Jack House, who is from Seattle, is staying in the area and was part of the Over 60 Travel Club. He said after his experience from the event he will plan to come back next year and join a veterans group such as a VFW organization.
“It’s also nice to be in another fellowship with other veterans,” House said. “It’s nice to see true vets.” Two women, veterans Patrica Mitchell and Diane Leary from Hephzibah, said they were both honored to be at the event and to be with other veterans.
St. Mary's School holds inaugural Veterans Day program “It’s wonderful and it’s such an honor that they think about us continuously,” Leary said. “It’s just a good feeling to be appreciated.
" Leary said she liked how she was able to meet other females who also served in the military. “It’s just wonderful to see so many females – you are kind of limited to knowing who was who, but there were a lot of females who were in the military,” Leary said. “I think it’s a great network.
” Mitchell said she wants people to think about veterans all year long and not just on Veterans Day. “It’s good to be appreciated and don’t forget us throughout the year," she said. Veterans Rodney and Joyce Thomas said they came to the meal because they wanted to support others who served in the military.
“Their service to us is to make sure that we stay safe, so we owe them a lot of gratitude,” she said. “Treat them with kindness and respect.”.
