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The Needham Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lt. Manson H. Carter Post 2498, hosted its annual Las Vegas Night for Boston-area Paralyzed Veterans at the post’s building on Junction Street on Tuesday, August 23.
Fifteen paralyzed veterans from the Brockton VA hospital, accompanied by nurses and volunteer assistants, arrived at the Post building in special coaches and were welcome by the Post 2498 members. Facilities manager and chef for the dinner, Lynwood Hamilton, served up a full sirloin steak dinner, rolls and vegetables, and finished with chocolate ice cream sundaes for dessert.
After dinner, the “Vegas Night” began, each guest issued with poker chips, used to bet at the blackjack and poker tables. The dealers, all VFW volunteers, made certain that the players had their winning ways at the tables. Top chip winners were awarded prizes, and gifts from the Post were given to each guest as they departed. As one of the paralyzed vet said as he exited, “I wouldn’t miss this for anything – you guys in Needham do it right.”
“The VFW’s mission is to take care of fellow veterans, and be advocates for help for those who once served their country during war,” said Rob Meltzer, newly-elected Post Commander and an Air Force combat veteran of Iraq.
The VFW post also sponsors scholarships for high school students through the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen speech competitions, and their function hall is used by folks needing a venue for their events. The Post is located at 20 Junction Street, Needham.
