Roseau Times-Region - Serving Roseau County for over 100 Years - The Official Roseau County Newspaper

by Jeff Olsen

The countdown is on for next week's Meet and Greet at the Greenbush American Legion.

Roseau County Veterans Service Officer Marty Howes is extending the invitation to all Roseau County veterans.

"It is going to be on Thursday, October 19, and we typically have a social hour that starts around 5:30," he said, adding that they usually start serving supper around 6 to 6:15 p.m.

"We'll have dinner and after dinner there's always dessert prepared by the Roseau VFW Auxiliary."

This will be the first year ever in Greenbush, according to Howes.

"We'll do two years in Greenbush, and then we will work our way back up to Roseau again."

It's a nice opportunity to meet other veterans.

"And it's a chance to ask me what my office can do for you and, as a veteran, what kind of benefits you could be eligible for, and how to go about that."

Again this year, we will have some gifts to raffle off.

"I usually have a few prizes but not a prize for everybody. Not everyone wins, right?"

He laughed.

"I'll have a few prizes and a few giveaways. Hopefully, people will come out for a great time and learn what benefits are out there for them."

He's expecting veterans from across the whole county - from Roosevelt to Strathcona.

"I usually get around 70 people every year, and I get new ones. We'll see what we get this year. It'll be interesting. It's not like anyone is going to get cold."

It's all indoors.

"We are serving pork loin and ribs. It's a veterans only event and there's no charge unless they want to purchase anything besides water."

Top on his list, besides meeting new veterans, is a great turnout.

"It would be nice. Nobody has ever gone to these annual meets and greets and not left with a smile and had a good time."

To cut to the chase, CVSO Howes remarked that you can look at these special events and think, "Geez, I don't want to get up off the couch."

Mr. Howes was smiling.

"And then you get up and go out and do it. Then you realize that you're glad that you did, and you had a great time."

That's Marty's winning ticket for next Thursday, October 19, at the Greenbush American Legion.

You can make new friends and greet old ones.

Not everyone will be drinking water!