Food, fun, and friends were all present for the annual Christmas gathering of Culver City’s Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 123 held at the Veterans Memorial Center Saturday, Dec. 3.
Food at the event included baked and fried chicken, which was provided by Pavilions and paid for by DAV Junior Vice Commander Raul F. Apodaca.
Highlighting the event were the appearances of Culver City Mayor Jim Clarke and Councilwoman Meghan Sahli-Wells, both of whom came to join in the festivities and offer their support to those who served their country honorably.
Clarke, a veteran of the Coast Guard, has been attending the DAV Christmas gatherings for the past five years.
“I’m here to appreciate and honor these folks for the service they gave to our country,” Clarke said. “It’s always a festive group and I enjoy being out here with them.”
Sahli-Wells, whose grandfather served in Iwo Jima, was also in attendance and has been a staunch supporter of the veterans, including her support for the United States Veterans’ Artists Alliance (USVAA), a non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts organization that opens doors for military veterans to work and thrive in America’s creative economy by providing opportunities in the arts, humanities and entertainment industry.
“There’s a lot of natural leadership going on in Culver City,” Sahli-Wells said. “It’s good for us to support the great efforts that are going on.”
In addition to the appearances by the mayor and Councilwoman Sahli-Wells, DAV 123 Chaplain Joe Fiumefreddo was honored with a certificate of merit for his dedicated service in organizing the DAV’s annual Christmas event.
“If it wasn’t for Joe organizing everything every year, I don’t think it would get done,” said DAV Commander Stephen Hall.
A teary-eyed Fiumefreddo accepted the award along with a new 2017 leather day planner so that he can continue his excellent service of keeping DAV events organized and running smoothly.
“I didn’t expect this,” said Fiumefreddo.
Caroline Morris, commander of the DAV Auxiliary, organized the raffle as well as the raffle prizes. Morris said that the raffle usually helps raise $500-$700 every year.
Various Culver City retailers such as Rocco’s Tavern have donated gift cards. Also one of the Auxiliary members crocheted a blanket and scarves. Morris donated a checkers set and a do-it-yourself spaghetti kit for the raffle. In total, Morris said that more than $500 in retail gifts were auctioned off at the Christmas party.
“We have all kinds of goodies every year that the local neighborhood retailers donate for us to raffle off and with that money, that money goes directly to the VA hospital for fruit and for canteen books [booklets containing vouchers that can be redeemed for sodas, chips, other items].”
DAV Jr. Vice Commander Ron Vogel, who was in attendance, praised the Chapter 123 for their continued efforts at remaining an active chapter.
“It shows that we’re not just a group that sits around all the time and talks,” said DAV Jr. Vice Commander Ron Vogel. “It’s a group that can have fun at Christmas time. They’re [DAV 123] not just a lump on a hill, they’re active.”
