Every October, the call from WV Roberson came like clockwork. The request was always the same: Come have dinner at Home Folks Restaurant with him and his wife, Linda; his treat. Over dinner, he'd ask for help spreading the word about the free lunch for veterans he held every Veterans Day at Soddy Daisy First Baptist Church.
A Korean War vet and resident of Soddy-Daisy, WV Roberson had a passion for honoring the men and women in his community who had served their country. Pulling off a free lunch for veterans was his dream, said Linda Roberson.
"To make this dream become a reality, he had the help and support of many people from the First Baptist Church and also the Soddy-Daisy community," she said. "This was his way to say 'Thank you for your service' to all the veterans."
WV Roberson passed away two years ago, but his wife and the many community members who have helped with the lunch over the years - whether by cooking, making donations or volunteering their time - continue to carry on the event, now in its 10th year.
"Without the support, I couldn't do this," Linda Roberson said. "Soddy-Daisy is a great place to live and, as WV always said, he wasn't born here, but he got here as soon as he could."
All veterans are invited to come to the church Monday, Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy a meal of chicken, ham, green beans, potatoes, slaw, corn and drinks. Church members also prepare a wide variety of desserts from which to choose.
The meal is free for veterans and $5 for family members.
Soddy Daisy First Baptist Church is at 10185 Dayton Pike.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com