Vets can dine for free and non-veterans are welcome at the event, which starts at 7 a.m.
By Paul R. Huard for Ashland.news
A free Veterans Day Breakfast, co-sponsored by the Ashland Elks and Scout Troop 112 on Monday, Nov. 11, not only offers those who served the United States a full stomach but also the opportunity to learn about state and federal services for former members of the military.
Elk’s Lodge 944 will serve breakfast starting at 7 a.m. with Scouts from the Ashland troop taking orders and guiding veterans to their seats. Food will be served until about 11:30 a.m. or until it runs out, said Kevin Calkins, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 112.
Free of charge for veterans
There is no charge to veterans for the meal. Non-veterans can donate whatever amount they can afford, Calkins said. Donations received will be given to the Elks Lodge Veterans Support and Service Foundation, which helps former service members at the Veterans Affairs Domiciliary in White City.
Elk’s Lodge 944 is at 255 E. Main St., Ashland. Participants can park their vehicles in the parking lot behind the lodge.
Calkins said Scouts in the troop have been involved with serving Veterans Day breakfasts to former service members since 2017, working either with the American Legion or the Elks. He said it’s important for Scouts to make connections with veterans so the youths can understand the importance of public service.
A favorite event for Scouts
“Scouts will wander the tables and talk to our vets,” Calkins said. “This is the one event all of my Scouts like to come to. They really like talking to vets and asking questions. And what surprises me, they like serving them. An important part of Scout growth is communications and association with adults who can act as good role models. We find Ashland’s vets are perfect for this.”
Calkins, who is a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer with 22 years’ service, said representatives from the Jackson County Veterans Services office and the Oregon Department of Veterans also will be at the breakfast. The representatives can assist any veterans who attend with obtaining federal and state veterans’ benefits.
Help available for obtaining benefits
Federal help includes VA disability payments, GI Bill educational assistance and spousal benefits before and after the death of a former service member. The state of Oregon also supports veterans with local issues such as housing, education and other services not covered at the federal level.
“I found you can’t lead a horse to water, but I can drag a veteran to breakfast, plop a VSO (veteran services officer) next to them and they talk over pancakes and coffee. And then they make appointments, and, with luck, start to work on and receive the benefits they earned,” Calkins said.
“Many times, they learn about benefits they did not know they qualified for,” he said. “This is particularly true of Vietnam vets, a very hard group to get through to. Changes at the VA and at the (Defense Department) have made it easier and opened up so many avenues to get support.”
Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States. Girls as well as boys have been welcome since 2018 to join at the Cub Scout level and, since 2019, at the Scout level, 11 to 17 years old.
Inspired by the Scouting movement launched in the early 20th century by Lt. Gen. Robert Baden-Powell, a British Army officer and social reformer, the Boy Scouts helps prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Traditional Scouting programs emphasize outdoor activities, public service, physical fitness and developing life skills.
Email freelance reporter Paul R. Huard at paulrhuard@gmail.com.
