MERRITT HILL COUNTRY SENIOR VILLAGE HOLDS VETERANS’ BRUNCH

Photos by Madeline Tredway

Intern Reporter, DSHS

On Nov. 12, Merritt Hill Country Senior Village hosted a “Veterans’ Day Brunch” to honor local veterans for their service. 

Tanja Coe, manager at Merritt Hill, started the event as a way to give back to the community. “It’s just our way of saying thank you to the veterans,” Tanja Coe said. 

Even though it was only the second year she’s held the brunch, there was an impressive turnout of not only veterans, but MHCSV residents who wanted break bread with the veterans and express their appreciation for their service to the nation.

To make the veterans feel welcome, Coe put up several posters in the entryway full of photos of the Dripping Springs veterans when they were in the military, as well as American flag pinwheels and stickers saying “Thank you for your service” decorating the entryway and dining room.

At the head table, around 20 veterans gathered at a table near the front of the dining room to eat and share stories with fellow veterans. The oldest there was Joe Williams, who is going to be 93.

At the end of the lunch, nearly 20 veterans gathered to take a group photo together. There were so many that some had to stand on the stairs and peek out from behind the others’ shoulders. As they walked out, Coe greeted every one of them with a smile and made sure to thank them for their service.

“We’re very proud to have the veterans here to recognize their service to this country and our freedom,” John Clark, resident at Merritt Hill, said. “We could never repay them enough.” 

The warm feelings were reciprocated by the veterans who attended. “We had a wonderful time and got to meet some really great people. We’re grateful they took the time and effort to put this wonderful meal for us,” naval veteran, and Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace, Judge John Burns said.