Attention all veterans! The General George S. Patton Jr. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 5069 of Andreas is hosting its 3rd Annual All-Veterans Free Picnic at Cheese's Grove in Andreas this Sunday, August 21, from noon to 6 p.m.

All veterans, not just combat veterans or VFW members, are invited to attend the picnic. Families and guests are welcome.The social event will consist of music, food, games and veteran benefit information. Post Commander Ernest Daubenspeck said, "This a time for veterans from all over to come together, socialize and just hang out."Post adjutant Eugene Schaffer pointed out that the VFW post is providing everything for the picnic and all the veteran has to do is show up and have a good time.Members interested in joining the VFW are encouraged to bring the DD-214. If any veterans needs to find a copy of their DD-214, they can visit

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/ or contact their closest local veterans affairs office.Daubenspeck stressed that veterans are not required to bring a DD-214 or prove they are a veteran to participate in the event. Quartermaster Harold "Skip" Osenbach added, "Combat veterans that want to join our VFW will get their first year paid for, courtesy of our post."Chaplain Ted Bogosh stressed that the picnic exemplies our VFW's objectives. The objectives of the VFW are fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational, as well as to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members. Other duties of the post consist of assisting worthy comrades, perpetuating the memory and history of our dead, assisting their widows and orphans, maintaining true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America and fidelity to its Constitution and laws, while fostering true patriotism and maintaining and extending the institutions of American feedom.In addition to providing firing details, color guards, placing flags at cemeteries, the post routinely holds free events for fellow veterans, such as breakfasts and other socials. The picnic, held rain or shine, will be held at Cheese's Grove, located at 3157 Ben Salem Road in Andreas. For more information call (570) 386-3224, (570) 668-1234 or visit

www.VFW5069.com.