The details
The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bastrop County Convention and Exhibit Center at 1408 Chestnut St. in Bastrop—a venue that the Red, White and Blue Veterans of Bastrop County transitioned to after outgrowing facilities from previous years.
Richard Hutchins, who serves as the chair of the nonprofit organization, told Community Impact that more than 500 guests are expected to be in attendance, and Col. Dawn Ellis, who serves in the Marine Corps Reserve, will be featured as the keynote speaker.
“I think the most important thing with the banquet is that we’re able to recognize veterans for their sacrifice and for their period of service,” he said. “We’ll have veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War in attendance.”
Although the number of veterans who served during World War II is dwindling each year, Hutchins also wants the opportunity to recognize those service members still in the community.
“We have recently made contact with a few World War II veterans that were not known to us, and we’re hoping that they will be able to attend the banquet,” he said.
Zooming in
Last year, the appreciation banquet raised approximately $10,000, according to the Red, White and Blue Veterans of Bastrop County.
However, Hutchins emphasized that their goal for the event is not about a dollar amount.
“Our real goal is to fill our seats,” he said. “We always get a lot of tickets that are donated back to us that we can give out to veterans, spouses and surviving spouses. So it’s more important to us to ensure that all those people are able to come.”
Following the appreciation banquet, proceeds will be distributed to a number of local veterans service organizations, including:
- The American Legion
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Marine Corps League
Also of note
The morning of the appreciation banquet, the Bastrop Area Cruisers will host a free car show at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Bastrop and a veterans ceremony at 11 a.m. outside the Bastrop County Courthouse.
Veterans will meet outside the United States Postal Office at 1106 Main St. and march to the Bastrop County Courthouse, as the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing from San Marcos flies over.
What else?
Tickets to the appreciation banquet, priced at $30 for veterans and spouses and $40 for nonveterans, are available online.
There are also approximately 60-70 tickets that the Red, White and Blue Veterans of Bastrop County are looking to distribute to veterans, spouses and surviving spouses. They can be requested by phone at 512-581-4006.
