By: Sarah A. Miller | Tyler Morning Telegraph
Veterans dined with their spouses, dates and other invited guests at the Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home annual Sweetheart Luncheon Friday.
The volunteer ministry Angel Chefs served a home-cooked meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, soup, salad, croissants and cupcakes as Dallas-based musician David Jennings provided live musical entertainment.
Ronda Weems of Holly Lake Ranch attended the lunch with her husband of 58 years Kerry Weems, a resident and Army veteran.
“We always celebrate Valentine’s Day,” Mrs. Weems said. “There was a big box of chocolates and a bottle of perfume in Kerry’s room when I got here today. It’s been a wonderful morning.”
Memory care resident Glen Milham, an Army veteran, and his wife, Jamie, celebrated their 65th Valentine’s Day together. Mrs. Milham brought along a Valentine’s Day card her husband gave her in 1999.
“I’ve kept it all these years. He wrote the words himself. It means a lot,” Mrs. Milham said.
The luncheon was topped off with an extra celebration – a birthday cake and rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” for resident Carl Terry, a Navy veteran who turned 83 Friday.
The Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler provides longterm housing for Texas veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents.