Memorial Day Buffet at the Mendota VFW
On Memorial Day I met a friend for a bike ride. We rode Minnehaha Parkway to the river, followed East River Road to 35E over to Mendota Heights and followed a gorgeous river trail that took us right downtown Mendota. By then we were ready to stop for a beer. Axel’s was closed, Lucky’s was packed, and since it was Memorial Day, we decided to stop at the VFW. There were several cars in the lot but only two patrons in the bar. A man in his immaculately pressed uniform came up from the basement and invited us to have a plate of food from the buffet downstairs. He mentioned that everyone was welcome and there was plenty of food. In years past there was a long line for the lunch but this year there just weren’t that many people. Even though the thought of a VFW buffet halfway through a ride on a hot day didn’t strike me as wise, it felt rude to refuse the invitation. The buffet consisted of things like coldcuts, sloppy joes, three bean salad, goulash- all familiar food for someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Lutheran church basements. For desert there were assorted cookies and cupcakes with shocking yellow frosting each adorned with a red white or blue plastic star. Homemade comfort food for a crowd. It’s surprising how tasty boiled corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes with bottled Italian dressing and cucumbers in vinegar, sugar and dried dill are on a hot summer day – especially with a Mich Golden Light. Being slightly self conscious about hauling a plate full of veggies back up to the bar, I’d taken a scoop of tuna noodle salad. When I commented to the woman tending the bar how good the pasta was, not too much mayo and a nice mellow taste, she confided the cook added a secret ingredient: a little bacon. Nearly each veteran in the place greeted us. Earlier in the day there had been a ceremony on the main street outside to honor the veterans and those who had given the ultimate sacrifice, their own lives. In a few hours they would head back to Fort Snelling chapel to remove the 8 crosses representing U.S. foreign wars and over 300 smaller crosses honoring those lives from the local area lost in recent wars. Since we were headed back to Minneapolis through Ft. Snelling anyway, we stopped to see them. It was sad and sobering. The names, ages, hometowns, and dates of death were displayed. Most were in their 20s and from Apple Valley, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park. At that moment the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq felt way too close to home. What is it like to risk your life for something you believe in? And return home having left friends behind? What is it like to offer kindness and a plate of food to strangers for whose benefit you fought? I am grateful I had an opportunity to thank a few veterans for service on Memorial Day. Next year, if you happen by a VFW on Memorial Day, stop in and say Hi. You may be treated to a wonderful home cooked buffet. But, more importantly, you may have a chance to offer gratitude. As one veteran told us, “A little thanks goes a long way.”
