Road construction on Co Rd 5, Eagle Lake Road, did not deter veterans and their family and friends from attending the Annual Veterans Dinner hosted by Big Lake American Legion Post 147 and Big Lake American Legion Auxiliary Unit 147.  

The dinner was held on Sat., Oct. 12 at the Big Lake Township Hall at Lions Park.  Veterans and their invited guests were treated to a meal of broasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, coleslaw, a dinner roll, and donated treats.  The 120 meals were supplied by Lake Café and Auxiliary members and members of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon contributed homemade bars and cookies. 

Preparations for the dinner began the night before, lasting for three hours.  Kathy Poslusny, President of the Auxiliary arrived before 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, the other volunteers arrived at nine.  All of them would be there throughout the afternoon, wrapping things up around 4 p.m.  All of the women do it for the same reason—to honor veterans.  

Raeanne Danielowski, County Commissioner for District 2 explained this about volunteering, “That’s what a person should do.  It’s the greatest opportunity to honor our veterans.”

Poslusny was grateful: for veterans, for the volunteers who made everything possible, and for the organizations and businesses who donated the prizes that were raffled off.  Veterans had the opportunity to win one of 10 - $75 Gift Certificates from Coborn’s given by the Big Lake Legion Auxiliary.  In addition to providing the food, Lake Café also donated four - $25 Gift Certificates to Lake Café.  Winners who were not present were notified by phone by Poslusny.  Poslusny also wanted to acknowledge Big Lake Township for allowing them to host the dinner.  

“How wonderful it is that Big Lake Township always has the facilities available for us,” she said.

Typically, events like this are held on Veteran’s Day, but the date was changed to the second Saturday in October.  Poslusny explained that there are many events honoring veterans on Veteran’s Day and turnout for the dinner was always low before they changed the date.  The adjustment also helped snow birds attend and made it easier to find volunteers to help with the event, so they’ll stick with the October date.  

The next Veterans Dinner will be held Sat., Oct. 10, 2026.