In 2007, two Vietnam War veterans came up with the idea of serving their fellow military veterans at West Haven’s Veterans Administration Hospital facilitates.
Antonio Lorenzo and the late Anthony Pelliggi, both Army veterans and Lorenzo’s wife Courtney McKenna started an annual Fourth of July Bar-B-Q for VA patients and staff.
“A lot of these veterans don’t have families and rarely get visitors,” Lorenzo said. “We felt that we had to do something to show them that they’re appreciated.”
Gerard Grate, co-owner of Joe Grate’s Sons Pig Roast and Bar-B-Q has donated his time and culinary talent to the cause for over a decade. During that time, nearly 5000 meals of ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and fruit have been served.
Members of the West Haven Lions Club were on hand to help serve meals to veterans and staff.
Lions Club Vice President Steven R. Mullins served as master of ceremonies during an awards presentation before the barbecue began. United States Senator Richard Blumenthal and West Haven Councilman-at-Large Gary Donovan presented citations to Grate’s father Joe Grate, 89, a Korean War Army veteran. Also honored were Lorenzo and Gerard Grate for their years of dedicated service to the picnic.
The national anthem was performed by Morgan Neff, 16 of Newton. Music was provided by DJ David Chambers.