Seniors packed the Veterans of Foreign Wars Sgt. William Lloyd Nelson Post No. 3792 in Middletown on Nov. 9 for the VFW’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, which is held for seniors in the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend area.
    The VFW Ladies Auxiliary served plate after plate of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and green beans as the guests of honor caught up with friendly faces.
    Cub Scouts with Pack 39 of Middletown, which is sponsored by the VFW, helped serve apple and pumpkin pie.
    Teresa Iosaker, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said the dinner is provided to area seniors free of charge.
    “It’s to show some appreciation,” she said. “They get to go out and see how they’re all doing and enjoy each other’s company. It’s nice for them to see each other.
    “I like to hear their stories,” Iosaker said. “They talk about the good ol’ days.”
    She said the men of the VFW share the cost with the Ladies Auxiliary, and they deliver meals to seniors who aren’t able to attend the dinner.
    “It’s a way to say ‘Thank you’ for all the support they give us with Bingo and their activities,” said Post Commander Henry Iosaker.
    Will Kirkwood of the VFW said the dinner has been held for more than 30 years.
    “We never advertise. It’s just word of mouth,” he said.
David Lord, Pack 39 assistant den leader, said the dinner is the scouts’ favorite activity.
    “They enjoy helping the older folks,” he said. “The parents really think this is what scouting is about. This is what we really love to do.”
    As Hilda Keefe made her way through the serving line, she said there are two reasons she attends the dinner each year.
    “The food and the people,” she said.
    Ruth Lyons said it’s a break from her routine of cooking each evening.
    “It’s great to have somebody cooking for me,” she said. “They put so much effort into it.”
    Mary Harris stopped in to get her meal to-go before she headed back to her office to continue working. While there, she waved to many people.
    “I get to see a lot of my friends,” she said. “I get free food and free hugs. There’s a good turnout this year. There are more people than ever in the past.”
    Helen Kimmey also enjoyed catching up with friends.
    “I get to see all the people I haven’t seen all year,” she said, “and it’s free!”