The Veterans Day Chili Luncheon will be held today from 11-to-1 at First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield. Veterans eat for free, and it’s $10 for everyone else.
Rosie Graphenteen says the luncheon helps them raise funds for missions that the church supports in Meeker County. She says it’s also a nice way to honor our veterans.
Graphenteen says the menu will include different kinds of chili, toppings, corn bread, white bread, chips, bars and beverages. She says the Presbyterian Church, at Holcombe Avenue and 3rd Street, has handicapped accessible dining on the main floor and dining downstairs as well. Take-outs will be available.
Four line workers from Meeker Cooperative traveled to the Southeastern United States in October on a mutual aid mission to assist with hurricane recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The team, in collaboration with Stearns Electric, deployed to South Carolina, and then extended their mission to Florida.
The team worked tirelessly to restore power and bring a sense of normalcy back to the region in communities that were severely impacted by both storms. Meeker Cooperative CEO/General Manager Luke Johnson and Electric Operations Manager Dan Schrupp led the decision to deploy the team, emphasizing the Cooperative’s commitment to Cooperative Principle #6 which is “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.”
Schrupp says they have a strong tradition of helping communities in need. He says when a storm hits elsewhere, they support recovery efforts, knowing that others would assist us in our time of need.
The Meeker team – Underground Foreman John Grabow, Overhead Foreman Logan Josephson, Journey Line Worker Brandon Skalberg, and Journey Line Worker Nate Glimsdal – left on October 2nd to assist Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens, South Carolina – one of the hardest hit areas. They worked on replacing broken poles and reinstalling conductor lines.
Upon completion of their work in South Carolina, the team prepared to head home, but as Hurricane Milton ravaged Florida, Meeker Cooperative’s line workers shifted plans and headed directly to Peace River Electric Cooperative in Wauchula, Florida, arriving just as the storm approached and rode it out, positioning themselves to respond immediately once conditions allowed. They replaced poles and reconnected downed conductors amid fallen trees and debris.
The team returned to Minnesota on October 15th. Team members said they received a warm reception from local residents who expressed gratitude for their swift action. John Grabow says helping a community recover, especially under such challenging conditions, is deeply meaningful for all of them. Meeker Cooperative is proud to have assisted in this mutual aid effort and will be ready to support recovery efforts whenever communities need it most in the future.
The Meeker County Court House has been illuminated in green the past few days as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans. It’s part of a nationwide effort by counties, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
Now into its second year, the lighting began on November 6th and will continue through November 12th. It’s a way to show support for veterans and raise awareness about the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.
County Veterans Service Officers help fellow service members access more than $52-billion in federal health, disability and compensation benefits each year and provide other services to support the approximately 200,000 service members who transition into civilian communities each year.
Meeker County Commissioner Steve Schmitt says Veterans Day is a great opportunity to recognize the sacrifices that so many of our family, friends and neighbors made to ensure our freedoms and our safety. In addition to lighting the Court House, residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to change a bulb in their home or building to green – exterior or interior – that will spark a conversation about veterans and show support for them.
The Meeker County Veterans Service Office can provide information to veterans, their dependents or widows about the benefits and programs that are available from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 693-5445.
