What started in the truck bay of Station 1 on the avenue four years ago has now grown into an event that is held at Kirkwood Adams to show appreciation to veterans who have served their country.

On May 2 the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department will hold its fourth Veterans Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“(Fire Chief) Jason (Patrick) just came up with the idea that we’d like to do something to recognize veterans for what they’ve done for us,” said Deputy Chief Wes Hux. “They have Veterans Day but it’s just another way to try and show them we appreciate them for what they’ve done for us.”

That idea turned into the first event and 40 turned out. With its success sponsorship grew. “It was so noisy in the bay and hot,” Hux said. “If you raise the doors and try to get airflow you can’t hear and even with the door shut the acoustics in there are not that good.”

Moving it to the civic center for the second year brought around 100 veterans and last year there were more than 100. Thus far 50 have signed up as of this report.

Veterans who plan to attend are encouraged to call ahead of time for a head count at 252-533-2829 and leave a message. Use the same number for sponsorship inquiries.

What has made the event so popular, Patrick said, is the outpouring from the business community. “That’s one thing that we both noticed is you don’t have any problems getting people to help sponsor the event. They really go out of their way. Some of these sponsors send people to help out. They cook, they serve, they’re donating door prizes.”

Patrick said, “I think people realize that our veterans served our country and fought for our freedoms and this is another way that we can show them our support.”

While the event falls between Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day at the end of May, it also falls during National Military Appreciation Month.

Hux said he receives positive feedback from the veterans. “The ones that I’ve talked to really enjoy it. They say it’s a good event. They enjoy the fellowship because they get to see some people they may have served with, they get to see people that served in the same branch or maybe a different conflict. I think that’s one of the things — just camaraderie and the fellowship makes the event what it is.”

At 8 a.m. is the welcome and check-in and the Roanoke Rapids High School JROTC will post colors and have the pledge of allegiance. Breakfast will be served at 8:30.

There will be door prizes for the event although the full list has not been completed. “We’d like to have a door prize for everybody that’s there so that everybody gets something,” Hux said.

“We came close last year,” Patrick said. “About 70 of the hundred and some got something.”

Patrick said he encourages those businesses which can’t make a financial contribution to make a flier or postcard advertising their support of veterans which will need to be sent to the fire department by April 28 to go into the swag bags the veterans will receive.