Montague Elks giving back to vets

MONTAGUE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Montague Elks Lodge honored veterans at the VA Medical Center in Leeds with a special gift on Monday.

Since the VA Medical Center has been working on the beautification project for the veterans at the recreation area in Leeds.

The Montague Elks Lodge wanted to be apart of it in some way by unveiling a bench with the symbols off all five military branches. They also celebrated with an ice cream social for the veterans.

Veteran Gerard Peters of Northampton told 22News he's happy that he has not been forgotten.

“People still care. Everybody doesn't always care about the veterans, but these people here care about us and I'm grateful for that. We're all equal. We all fought for our country. I'm grateful that they donated the bench to us," said Peters.

Kathleen Rimby of the Montague Elks Lodge said that this was their way of saying "thank you."

"The veterans have done so much for us as Americans, this is the least we can do," she said.

The Montague Elks Lodge will be hosting a benefit dinner on Saturday, August 25 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Polish Club in West Deerfield. All proceeds will go to the VA Medical Center.