NAPLES — Students and staff at the Lake Region Vocational Center honored local veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces with a hearty lunch on Friday, Nov. 8, as part of a ceremony commemorating Veterans Day.

Student Services Coordinator Walter Ridlon organized the event and took on the role of emcee, while students from the Culinary Arts program prepared and served the lunch. Diversified Occupations students served dessert. LRVC Law Enforcement students presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cards thanking veterans for their service were at every place setting and more cards from local elementary school students were delivered during the ceremony. A beautiful red, white, and blue quilt handmade by the local Chickadee Quilters was raffled off and won by SSG Alicia Bentley of the U.S. Army.

The three-course meal was delicious, starting with beef barley soup then moving on to roast pork, chicken breasts, steamed vegetables, and particularly good bread rolls, vegetarian lasagna, and twice baked stuffed potatoes. Patriotic strawberry shortcake (red strawberries, white whipped cream, and blue blueberries) was served for dessert. The student cooks and servers all did an excellent job.

Toward the end of the meal, Michael Larrabee, a participant in the Construction Tech program, and Savannah Mullins spoke about their respective experiences as American Legion-sponsored Boys State and Girls State delegates.

Throughout the event, LRVC Diversified Occupations instructor Brian Woodson performed an especially well-chosen playlist of live music on his guitar.

The afternoon concluded with a few words from LRVC Director David Morse.

Overall, the students and staff did a very good job and presented an enjoyable event that was a fitting tribute to local veterans and service members. Kudos to LRVC on a job well done!