More than 120 veterans attend annual Veterans Day breakfast in Killeen
Teach One Reach One event at Jimmy’s Egg began in 2011 as breakfast with a few friends
KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - More than 120 veterans attended the 15th annual Teach One Reach One Veterans Day breakfast at Jimmy’s Egg in Killeen.
Army veteran and event organizer Robena Tomlinson said attendance requires one thing.
“All you have to do is just show up on Veterans Day, that’s it,” Tomlinson said.
How the breakfast started
The event started as a breakfast with a couple of friends in 2011. It has grown into a tradition for fellow service members.
Terry Mustapher, an Army veteran and event organizer, said he told a few people about the breakfast and they showed up.
“I spread the word to a couple people, we showed up, and then you know how in an empty restaurant and you see someone sitting by themself. Being military and deployed, you ask them to come on over, and it just grew from the 4 or 5 of us, up until where we are today,” Mustapher said.
Veterans share memories
Lawrence Holly, 90, is a Vietnam veteran who retired from the Army in 1988 after 31 years of service. He said events like the breakfast help him remember the old days.
“Oh, it means a lot to me. It brings back old memories of old times in the military. Just like today, I met new friends, today. Just proud to be retired from the United States Army,” Holly said.
Holly said it is good to see veterans appreciated for their service. He said coming home from Vietnam was a different experience.
“Wearing civilian clothes when I came home. I was not able to wear my uniform because of all the demonstrations that was going on at that time. They was calling us baby killers from Vietnam,” Holly said.
Event continues to grow
Holly now has breakfast with fellow veterans every year. People seated on the patio show that the event gets bigger every year.
Sylvia Gavin, an Army veteran and event organizer, said organizers hope the event continues to grow.
“We’re hoping that next year, we have to push out into the parking lot. So, it’s just good for us to come together as one and veterans, and it helps us as a community,” Gavin said.
Event details
The breakfast is held at Jimmy’s Egg in Killeen every year. All branches of the military are welcome.
Roll call is at 6 a.m.
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