(Riverton, WY) – Riverton’s veterans met yesterday on Vietnam Veterans Day for their monthly meeting to discuss their projects and events happening in the community this year.
The veterans will be set up for a cook-out with their popular food wagon to sell hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walmart. The Auxiliary will also have tables set up for t-shirt and hat sales, as well as information on veteran programs and services.
Since September 2019, Veterans Hall had held off on having subsequent events at Walmart but recently approached the manager who said that they were open to once again hosting their event this year.
DAV Transportation Services
In the works for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is a transportation service that will be activated around mid-April for veterans in need of transport to and from medical facilities and clinics between Riverton and Lander. They will also provide services to and from Casper and will act as a hub as arrangements are made for further transports to VA hospitals in Cheyenne and Sheridan. Two vans and a driver are currently in the process of being registered, licensed, and certified. Call the Veterans Hall at 307-463-0963 for more information about the program.
Raffle tickets on sale at the Veterans Hall
The veterans are also selling Raffle tickets for the American Legion Wyoming High School Rodeo Association Benefit. Tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100 for a chance at winning a Weatherby Mark 5 .257, a Weatherby 18i Deluxe 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun, a 2-person, 3-day guided Merriam Turkey Hunt from Thunderhead Outfitters in Torrington in May (lodging included), and one of two Barto custom-made Packer antler knives.
The drawing will be held at the State finals rodeo in Douglas in June.
Proper Disposal of the American Flag
There is a compartment by the entrance outside of Veteran’s Hall for the proper disposal of American flags. The veterans collect the flags, then pick a day to have a flag burning ceremony with other veterans in the county.
Vietnam veteran Ron Walker said that there is a “misconception that if the flag touches the ground, you have to burn it right away. That’s not true, not true at all,” he said.
According to the US Flag Code: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”. Walker said that burning is the proper, respectful way, and the veterans provide this service to the community, free of charge.
Monies derived from all fundraising events and donations from the community through the Veterans Hall are rotated throughout the various local Veteran Service Organizations (VSO), Veterans Assistance Fund, scholarship programs, and other veteran programs. “All the fundraising we do goes back to the veterans,” Walker said. “Any time you see us out there having events, one hundred percent goes back to them. All of it. We always have great support from our community.”
The Veterans Hall is located at 417 East Main Street and is open to the public. Hours are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00pm. Call (307) 463-0963 or visit their website at: veteranhall.com