Donat Bineau Jr. and Roy Hallczuk enjoy conversation at Soup and Sandwich Saturday at Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 in Biddeford. The event is open to all veterans and to the public TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
BIDDEFORD — It was Soup and Sandwich Saturday at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 on Elm Street ( Route 1).
On the menu was French onion soup, chicken and dumpling soup and laughter. There were sausages, Monte Cristo and reuben sandwiches and lively conversation.
The VVA and Associates of VVA have been hosting the weekly lunch socials, since September. All the food is homemade, from scratch.
Every Saturday, Associates of VVA member Jim Davis is chief cook On Saturday, he was hard at work stirring the soup, measuring flour into a bowl for the dumplings, and keeping an eye on three or four pots simmering on the stove.
Jim Davis, of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 in Biddeford stirs the French onion soup he made from scratch, like all the food served at Soup and Sandwich Saturday at the VVA Biddeford chapter, which meets at American Legion Post 26, 508 Elm St. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
This past Saturday, the popularity of the fragrant French onion soup was edging out the chicken and dumpling variety but by the end of the day, the result could have been reversed. In weeks past, there has been pea and ham soup, various chowders – you name it — all made from scratch.
Conrad Letellier, a U.S. Marine veteran stationed at Khe Sanh in Vietnam during the Tet offensive in 1968, is a life member of the VVA and is an officer in the chapter, serving as recording secretary and membership chairman. He said the Soup and Sandwich Saturday events serve a couple of purposes.
“This is a place veterans can come and talk to each other,” he said. The $5 donation for the home made meal goes toward supporting the chapter. Letellier said veterans who would like to stop by for lunch but find the donation unaffordable should speak to him or one of the other VVA officers.
“They help a lot of veterans,” said U.S. Army veteran Carl Rabida as he tucked into an enormous sausage and pepper sandwich. “That’s what we’re all about,” said the Vietnam War veteran.
U.S. Navy veteran Susan Sajecki of Saco stopped by for lunch and brought her mother, Mary Roets along.
“The food is really very good, and the camaraderie,” she said.
VVA 1044 is based at the American Legion Post 26, at 508 Elm St. (Route 1) in Biddeford, The chapter began in Sanford eight years ago, but moved to Biddeford because the location was more convenient for members. The chapter is located in the cozy basement space of the legion post, and has a chair lift to assist those who have trouble with stairs.
Ray Hallczuk, commander of American Legion Post 26 said the arrangement has worked well.
Vietnam veteran Carl Rabida enjoys the sausage and pepper sandwiches at the Soup and Sandwich Saturday event put on by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 and their Associate group. The meal is available for a suggested $5 donation noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the VVA, located at the American Legion Post 26 at 508 Elm St. in Biddeford. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
“It’s good for them, and it’s good for us,” said Hallczuk, a U.S Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of the VVA.
Membership in the VVA chapter is growing, said Letellier, and stands at 175 — up from 129 in May when he became membership chair.
Attendance at the Soup and Sandwich Saturday events is also on the rise, said Letellier, particularly during the last month or so as word of the event has become more widespread.
Vietnam veteran John Dodd drove down from Baldwin, in Cumberland County, a good hour away.
“Everything’s an hour away,” when you live in Baldwin, said Dodd as he conversed with a friend from Mechanic Falls, near Lewiston. “I’m joining the VVA today.”
US Air Force veteran Chuck Estano and his wife Cindy were among those stopping by for a meal. Estano served 24 years in the Air Force and 13 more, working for the Department of Defense first as a civilian and then a contractor. He is a VVA member, she is a member of the AVVA. Like the others, they come for the camaraderie, and the cause, which the Saco couple agree is a good one.
The Soup and Sandwich Saturday event is open to the public, as well as to all veterans, Letellier said.
During the week, the VVA is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as a drop-in center, and a service officer is available to assist veterans with questions about benefits or other matters. VVA meetings, which are open to the public, are 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month. The Soup and Sandwich Saturday events are held from noon to 2 p.m.
On Saturday, there were veterans, supporters, and members of the public enjoying the meal.
Chuck and Cindy Estano have checked out the Soup and Sandwich Saturday menu and are ready to place their order at the weekly event sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 and their Associate group at 508 Elm St. in Biddeford. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
Donat Bineau Jr., of Saco was 18 years old when he joined the U.S. Army. He remembers being one of 4,000 on a troop ship, headed for Vietnam.
He likes the Saturday lunch time event.
Besides the food, there are board games, movies, darts and more.
“It’s a place to go and meet other veterans,” said Bineau. “It’s fellowship, and it’s nice to get out.”
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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