We live in a free society in part because of our veterans. If you enjoy and appreciate your freedoms, thank a vet.

The Ephrata Lions Club's upcoming community event is meant to observe, celebrate and recognize our veterans for their service.

"I think they literally signed up to humbly give their lives for freedom," said Kendra Rhinier, a longtime Lion and the driving force behind the club's Community Veteran Expo. "I don't think that some people know what that can mean. My dad came home from his tour, received his Purple Heart and signed up for a second tour. I want to give them their respect for giving their life away for us people back here. It's that ultimate sacrifice for the rest of the community. They're people who are willing to put their country ahead of themselves."

The third edition of the Ephrata Lions Club's Community Veteran Expo is actually two events rolled into one, both of which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 - two days before Veterans Day - at Ephrata Legion Post 429, 300 Cocalico St., Ephrata. The Community Veteran Expo will be conducted in the ballroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while a free veterans' meal will be served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The events are free to attend, and the public is welcome. Family members, friends and supporters of veterans can purchase the meal, which is free to veterans. Donations for the veterans' nonprofit Christmas Stockings for Soldiers will be accepted.

"The objective is to get the community to support veterans in different ways," said Rhinier. "We're there to support veterans. It's a way to celebrate the veterans and get them the services that they need. But it's also a way to educate the community. It's not just about veterans; it's about bringing everyone together to support veterans."

The Community Veteran Expo will feature 27 vendors, many of whom are veteran craftspeople and veteran small business owners selling things like breads and sweets, wood products, jewelry, goat milk soap, cutting boards, tables and s'mores. Also on hand will be representatives from the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Lancaster Vet Center, Triggered 22 and other veteran services nonprofits.

The event's atmosphere will be enhanced by music from Guitars 4 Vets, four food trucks, games and a children's area that will include face painting.

"Our (Ephrata Lions) club was talking about doing some new things in the community," said Rhinier of the expo's origin in 2023. "We have a lot of veterans in our club. It gave some of our vets something to do. I wanted to create an event where they felt useful. They really enjoy helping with it. Veterans feel most comfortable when they're around other veterans because they know what they've gone through. We try to make our veteran attendees feel valued."

Presented by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Lancaster, Santa Marie Assembly 915, the free veterans' meal will consist of a stuffed chicken breast, potatoes, vegetables and cake. Veterans and friends of veterans are asked to make reservations and guest payments to Bill Childs at 717-413-4562.

More than 200 veterans, their guests and community members are expected to attend the events.

"When I first got this idea in my head, I wanted it to be a fully veteran craft event," said Rhinier, a resident of Ephrata, "and then the veteran nonprofits found out about it, and they wanted to be there. It's for the community and the veterans and coming together, because sometimes there is a divide."

The Ephrata Lions Club, which was established in 1925 and currently has 51 members on its roster, meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month inside the Ephrata Legion ballroom.

"Our mission is to support the community and the needs of the community," said Rhinier. "We are a service club who supplies money to support other organizations, and we've been doing it for a century. It's giving that little boost to the community, whatever it might be. We're looking to provide help for other people in the community."

For additional information, go to https://ephratalions.org.