Post 1956, Morongo Team Up to Feed Veterans, Others

By Joe Quinn
VFW Post 1956

Each year, the Morongo Indian Reservation, through the casino, gives thanks to those who have served in the military and does it in a very tangible and seasonal way by distributing turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For the second year in succession, Menifee Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1956 has teamed with Morongo to distribute turkeys to local Veterans and other needy organizations. The Distribution Team, under the leadership of Post Commander Chris Proctor and with the direction of his wife and Post Community Services Director Suzette Proctor, organized the transfer of 78 turkeys from Morongo to the distribution point in town.

St. Vincent's Parish volunteered the use of its parking lot for the second year. Local Veterans assembled recently to pick up their turkeys and others were delivered to charitable organizations, such as the Sun City Concern and Make A Difference Service Organization. Some were also shared with the St. Vincent Parish Pantry program for the needy.

Birds were also delivered to the Moreno Valley Post for its Veteran's Thanksgiving dinner, to the San Jacinto Post for theirs, and four were kept for the Menifee Post's Christmas-Thanksgiving December Celebration.

Many local Veterans also received the birds as thanks for their service. The photo above shows the team at St. Vincent's sharing the bounty with other Veterans. Commander Proctor and Suzette are in the forefront of the photo.