Salute to Vets set June 29
BY ROY REYNOLDS

Tom Townsend is pictured in his Toyland Military Museum near Rusk.

Once the word got out about the "Salute to Vets" party on Friday, June 29, East Texans began rushing in to do their part for this massive "thank you."

The "Salute to Vets" will be from 7-10 p.m. Friday, June 29, at Toyland Military Museum. To get to the museum go south from Rusk on U.S. Highway 69, turn west on FM 241 for one mile, then turn left on CR 2407 (almost a U-turn). The museum is one mile on the right. For further information, call Roy Reynolds, event chairman, at (903) 683-1947, or Toyland Museum at (936) 858-3514.

Benefactors for the event include Texas National Bank and Sam Florian, who have donated to the infrastructure of the event; and Creative Graphics in Jacksonville, contributor of full-color posters. Persons who want to personally thank the vets are asked to attend the event with their spouse. Those attending will take enough food and cold drinks (no alcohol) for themselves and family, as well as enough for a vet or two, chairs and a table. This is an opportunity to hug or shake the hands of the men and women who have put their lives on the line for freedom of all Americans. There will be Big Band music and live entertainment throughout the evening. This is a totally free event and all veterans are welcome. That includes World War II, Cold War, Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Those attending will walk among East Texas' largest privately-owned operational military vehicle collection, from World War II thru Desert Storm, plus weapons, uniforms and military artifacts representing a half-century of collecting.

Vets, uniforms would be nice, but are not required. Women are asked to wear 40s attire, if possible.

"This will be the biggest outpouring of love for the Vets in East Texas history. This country is losing 2,500 World War II veterans daily. We need to do more than just pay 'lip-service,'" event planners said.