Every year, Veterans Day in Dublin kicks off with a complimentary breakfast for veterans before a formal ceremony at the Grounds of Remembrance in Veterans Park.
And, since the opening of La Chatelaine’s Dublin location in 2008, owner Val Wielezynski has been the host.
La Chatelaine makes everything on its menu available to veterans for the Veterans Day breakfast, this year slated for Nov. 11.
There are always more than 100 people in attendance.
“The restaurant is packed,” says Wielezynski. “It’s bumper-to-bumper.”
Wielezynski is very passionate about helping veterans, and also hosts a D-Day celebration that includes a free dinner for veterans every year on June 6 at La Chatelaine’s Lane Avenue location.
While the breakfast alone is a worthy tribute to veterans, that’s only one part of the day’s itinerary.
After the breakfast, participating veterans head to the Grounds of Remembrance in Veterans Park for a public ceremony.
Veterans and attending citizens hear from a keynote speaker, as well as Jeff Noble, commander of the LCPL Wesley G. Davids American Legion Post 800 and a member of Dublin City Council.
After the speeches, veterans lead tours of the six major components of Veterans Park, which include the Memory Wall, Dedication Wall, Loggia, POW-MIA/KIA Memorial, Patron’s Sycamore Grove and Recognition Walk.
Citizen turnout to the Veterans Day celebration is always high.
“By the time we get to the ceremony, the streets are lined on both sides,” says Gene Bostic, retired fire chief and current Washington Township Trustee, and a veteran himself.
Attending citizens come in all ages. In particular, the celebration draws many spectators from nearby Sells Middle School.
“We’re fortunate that students from the school come over to the ceremony,” says Sandra Puskarcik, Director of Community Relations for the City of Dublin. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to educate future generations on the significance of Veterans Day.”
The Veterans Day celebration has been going on for decades, but Bostic remembers its earlier days.
“I’ve been around the area since 1977, and it started way back,” says Bostic. “By the time I got here, it was very small. Over the years … it’s really grown. I would call it more of a community affair now.”
Veterans Day is a great way to recognize and honor veterans, but Eileen Corson, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Veterans’ Services, says it’s important to go beyond that.
“It’s very important that we recognize our veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year,” says Corson. “Not just our veterans, but also our military families. They have made so many sacrifices to preserve our freedom.”
What can civilians do to benefit veterans throughout the rest of the year? Corson has some suggestions.
“They can do a lot,” says Corson. “Starting with saying thank you; starting with spreading the word, making sure that veterans are aware of the resources that are available to them.”
Athnie McMillan-Comeaux is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
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