MANCHESTER, Connecticut — For around 200 veterans from all over Connecticut, there is such thing as a free lunch – it happens every December at the Elks Lodge in Manchester.
For the eighth year in a row, the Wethersfield-based retirement investment specialists from Johnson Brunetti held their annual Veterans Holiday Lunch.
"One of the things that is very important to us is veterans and giving back and showing them some love. A lot of our clients are veterans and that is near and dear to our hearts and we feel strongly about that," said Heath Grossman, a partner from Johnson Brunetti.
Among the guests was Thad Hasbrouk from Hamden. A tech sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, Hasbrouk served in combat during World War II in numerous conflicts in the South Pacific.
Just a day after celebrating his 99th birthday, Hasbrouk was sitting at the veterans’ lunch.
“Just seeing veterans, the people here, they understand and unless you have been there you don’t. These guys have been there," said Hasbrouk.
The day was especially geared to remember the attacks on Pearl Harbor, now 82 years ago. Gerry Gallo, an Army veteran and the veterans’ chairman at the Manchester Elks Club said the entire day is about community.
“It’s the camaraderie,” said Gallo. “It’s all part of one team and everybody has a part."
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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