Hodgdon JMG Veterans’ Breakfast shifts to drive-in service

4 years ago

HODGDON, Maine — One of the area’s most touching tributes to local veterans will look a little bit different this year.

Because of the restrictions placed on gatherings due to COVID-19, the annual Hodgdon JMG Veterans’ Breakfast will not be able to take place in its usual form. Instead, organizers have come up with a drive-thru breakfast model in an effort to minimize contact.

Slated for Wednesday, Nov. 11, the drive-thru breakfast will mark the 19th year that Hodgdon’s JMG has provided a meal for local veterans.

Traditionally, veterans and their families fill the gymnasium of Hodgdon Middle-High School for a morning of fine food, camaraderie, guest speakers and musical selections from the high school band and elementary chorus. 

Last year, nearly 200 veterans and their guests attended the 18th annual Veterans Breakfast featuring a meal of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and more. 

“We are trying to figure out if guests could still sit in the parking lot, but keep us within the (state’s) number of people restrictions,” Hodgdon’s JMG instructor Jason Little said. “This would allow our students to say ‘Hello’ rather than just a drive-thru and leave. We want to make it special for our guests.”

Veterans are encouraged to RSVP to hodgdonjmg@gmail.com so that organizers know how many meals to prepare. Veterans and family members can drive in starting at 7:45 a.m. and can choose from three meal types to be packaged. 

A pre-recorded ceremony with messages for the veterans will be placed on the Hodgdon JMG Facebook page, as well as the SAD 70 YouTube and Facebook pages.