The Lancaster County Veterans Breakfast Club (LCVBC) met at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord for five years until a fire temporarily shut down the restaurant in December of 2023. During the interim, the group met at the former Revere Tavern and then at a variety of local diners. During that time, LCVBC founder Bill Terry saw attendance shrink from around 100 to about 30 a month, but on March 29, 100 club members once again breakfasted together when the group was able to return to Bird-in-Hand.

"When I got the call that they could put us back in, we went from 30 to 100," said a smiling Terry. "We are the only group that's here (at this time). They wanted us back." LCVBC meets on the third Saturday of every month. The breakfasts are free for veterans and spouses. Many of the breakfasts are paid for by sponsors, including local businesses. Attendees begin arriving at 7 a.m.

Presidents of chapters of military organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who attend may get up and speak, and sometimes a speaker is scheduled. At the March 29 event, a number of speakers got up to share about organizations and services available to veterans.

AJ Durham, an ambassador with Save A Warrior, a 72-hour program located in Hillsboro, Ohio, told his story to those gathered. Durham, who underwent the program about three years ago, shared how his complex post-traumatic stress fed into the anger he had felt since he was a child. "I grew up in an alcoholic and dysfunctional household," noted Durham, who also lived in foster care before finding a home with his grandparents in the 1990s. When his arguments and discipline problems continued, he enlisted in the service and spent 20 years serving. In 2018, Durham retired. "It was supposed to be a great time in my life, but my life was still unmanageable," recalled Durham, who noted that he drank heavily and isolated himself from his family. "I didn't know how to process the war," he stated. When Durham reached the end of his rope, he remembered a fellow veteran had mentioned Save A Warrior to him. "I got online, and I hit submit," said Durham. "In less than 24 hours, I got a call. I told them how I was out of control and how nothing was working." Before he left for the program, Durham stopped drinking. "I am two and a half years sober now," he stated to applause from the group. "I was able to get rid of the guilt, shame, and anger I had been hanging on to." Following his experience with Save A Warrior, Durham, who lives in Hellam in York County, became an ambassador. He speaks to veterans groups whenever he gets a chance. "I am giving back," he stated. "If you're done suffering, I highly recommend you get on the website and hit submit. It completely changed my life." More information about Save A Warrior may be found at http://www.saveawarrior.org, and Durham may be reached at aj@saveawarrior.org.

Andrea Town, administrative assistant with Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor, spoke about the canine-assisted service programs, wellness activities, and community outreach the organization provides to veterans and first responders. Town was invited to speak at the program by a breakfast club member whose service dog, Couchy, was provided through Tails of Valor. "There are a lot of ways to change your life," said Town, who noted the organization, with a training campus in Quakertown, is starting its 11th year. "We have always worked with veterans, but we recently opened to police, fire, and emergency personnel who have a lot of the same issues." Town explained that dogs can make a difference in the life of someone who has an injury that has resulted in post-traumatic stress. "Unconditional love is an amazing thing," she noted, adding that the program is designed to help alleviate anxiety, depression, anger issues, and nightmares. "It's a journey with a purpose," she stated, noting that veterans who take part will work with a wellness team. "(The veteran and dog) build that one-on-one bond and connection," she stated. "(The two) have to communicate. They have to learn to work together." Town pointed out that the service is free to veterans and first responders. "It's about love and trust and making the world a little bit better place." More information about the organization may be found at http://www.tailsofvalor.org.

According to Terry, a majority of breakfast club members are Vietnam War veterans. One attendee wanted others to know about the Liberty Warbirds, an organization that has restored a Huey helicopter that served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, logging 1,300 combat flight hours. Liberty Warbirds spent three years restoring the helicopter to turn it into a flying museum. The Liberty Warbird Association is located at 500 Airport Road, Suite T, Lititz. The helicopter can often be seen on Saturdays, when not otherwise engaged. More information about Liberty Warbirds may be found at http://www.libertywarbirds.com, and the organization may be reached at info@libertywarbirds.com.

Those who wish to reserve a space at any of the breakfasts may call 717-929-0310. Individuals with questions may call Terry at 717-435-6095.