Following the Kittitas Veterans Parade, the local fire station hosted veterans and their families for a barbecue, offering free drinks, food, and desserts. The event provided a space for veterans to relax and converse. The barbecue began with a performance by the Valley View Elementary School choir as veterans collected their meals. Families also had the opportunity to see military vehicles up close.
Fire Capt. John DeHerrera shared the history behind the Veterans Day BBQ. “Yeah, so over 20 years ago, when we were in the previous fire station on Pearl Street in downtown Ellensburg where our previous station was, this was started the parade and used to start and end at the fire station. So we thought not a better opportunity than to have warm coffee for the vets before the parade.”
