2017 Veterans Cooks

[Diesel Dave]

Well the new year is here and it's beginning to get closer to that favorite time of year here in the Northeast. BBQ season!!!!
Not that we don't cook all winter, but folks will be outside having fun

This year we will be doing at least 8 Veteran cooks and our yearly cook for PBJ Outreach.

I haven't been able to nail down dates as of yet. But will post here as soon as I have them.

We've added 2 this year for the Visually Impaired Veterans, Kalamazoo and of Battle Creek MI. These will be in September as far as the folks in chrge have told me.
But we will also be doing our summer picnic cooks for the Former Prisoners of War of Ann Arbor MI, and the Visually Impaired Veterans of Ann Arbor MI and Toledo OH. Along with the Michigan Veterans Foundation in Detroit.
Then the PBJ Outreach fundraiser, which helps those not as blessed as us in the Greater Detroit area.

Then I'm still thinking we will do another Christmas cook for the MVF as well as the 2 we do for the Visually Impaired Veterans groups.

We would like to thank everyone who helped us last year with the cooks. In person or in donations. Without ALL of you we would never be able to put out such awesome meals for those who do/did so much for our Freedoms.


If anyone wants to help us out we are trying to nail down a date for a meet up so we can discuss and meet anyone who will be new to the group.

Thanks again everyone,
Dave, Tom & Steve

[ebijack]

SmokeNinja (Steve) is working on getting a date set to have a get together/meet n greet before any of the cooks. Though we will be cooking at the get together :mrgreen:.
So any of you Brethren that would like to help at the cooks, or just meet/greet. Keep an eye on this posting for future news.
We're thinking around the end of April or early May.
:hungry:

[fleihr]

count me in, would love to help out a great cause

[cowgirl]

Great thing you're doing! :cool:

[SmittyJonz]

:thumb:

[Norm]

You can always count on my support Dave!

Thanks for all you folks do. :)

[PatAttack]

You fellers, ROCK!:thumb:

[Blythewood BBQ'er]

Great things yall do!

[Jason TQ]

So cool. Wish you were closer :-D

[Ayvatr]

Hey if it matters, I would be honored to participate in any Q event for the Veteran community in Virginia.
Thanks Dave!

[ebijack]

Hey if it matters, I would be honored to participate in any Q event for the Veteran community in Virginia. Thanks Dave!
We are not the only ones doing this, lots of Brethren from other states do Vet support cooks and Paul/Shirley Fab donates custom smokers for some of those events..Thanks Paul!!
So keep an eye out for the other Vet cooks in/near your area.
Thank you for offering!

[Diesel Dave]

Thanks everyone!!

The cooks are always a real good time, and you get to meet some really awesome folks.

I talked to Rich from the Visually Impaired Veterans support group yesterday. He said the 2 cooks for them will be the 3rd week of July. Wednesday in Ann Arbor at Gallup Park and Thursday in Toledo.

Looking forward to the get together at Steve's

[sfisch]

Dave,
Don't forget to send an email to the new Board of Directors for the Great Lakes BBQ Assn and see if the association can help again this year.
Great job all of you at doing!!

[4ever3]

Awesome work y'all!

[THoey1963]

Donation sent. Thanks Dave!

[smoke ninja]

Looking forward to getting this years cooks going.

[Diesel Dave]

Donation sent. Thanks Dave!

Thanks so much!! It is greatly appreciated

We appreciate the donations from everyone who helps out and the support from those that can't help financially

Dave,
Don't forget to send an email to the new Board of Directors for the Great Lakes BBQ Assn and see if the association can help again this year.
Great job all of you at doing!!

Thanks Scott!!! I'll be sending off an email in a few days. We greatly appreciate the Great Lakes BBQ Associations help in previous years

[Diesel Dave]

Good morning everyone,

I was contacted by Michigan Veterans Foundation yesterday. They are doing their Open House and ribbon cutting for their new complex on Memorial Day May 29th.
They have asked us to cook for them and of course Tom and I said yes.
This one isn't going to be a donation funded cook. They will be paying for the food we serve that day. We'll be cooking for about 400 people and serving as well.
If anyone would like to come and help us, we and the Veterans would be very thankful.
I'll update this with times soon.
The complex is in Detroit

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy92/pignoutbbq/IMG_0667_zpsq1phm9qj.jpg (http://s781.photobucket.com/user/pignoutbbq/media/IMG_0667_zpsq1phm9qj.jpg.html)

[KevinJ]

Made a donation wish I could also physically donate my time to the cause, God Bless you guys and girls for what you do.

[ebijack]

At this time, we will be preparing the foods at home/homes. Porkbutts, custom sausages Dave orders. Porknbeans, and slaw. Typically we cook on site.

So if any of you are interested in preparing one of the sides. And bring that to the celebration. That would be great!
Right now, Dave is smoking the butts on his big Shirley, I'm either going to smoke the sausages or possibly fire roast/grill them. Or both.. :becky:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/GFrdbI.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poGFrdbIj)

[Diesel Dave]

Thank you very much Kevin :thumb:



And yeah what Tom said :becky:

[smoke ninja]

As always you can count me and :becky: in.

Just call with anything you need

[Pstores]

Keep me posted..... I can take the boat across....

[BBQchef33]

Dave, thanks so much for doing these events for our vets.. We have one coming up next weekend(May 20) at a homeless shelter for vets.. 120 vets at 'The Veterans Place (https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkCountyUnitedVeterans/photos/a.264922733634610.61478.246211498839067/1199154530211421/?type=3&theater)'.

I have to figure out a way to get ore of us involved nationwide doing events like this.. Its a new endeavor to expand our charter, but we have to start somewhere.
BBQ-Brethren Outreach (http://www.bbqoutreach.com/)

[SmittyJonz]

I'd cook/help at any Dallas/Fort Worth events......... BoomShuckaLucka likes The Veterans........ :heh:

[ebijack]

I'm amazed with some of the "Veteran" Centers that do not want to do anything out of the "norm" for the Vet's. I understand they work at this every day and it is appreciated. But...
One example: close to me is a Vietnam Veterans center helping 1500 Vietnam Vets. (there statement, not mine) But they don't want to do any fund raisers to help the Vets or just cooks for the Vets they help. With us donating the food and our time. :doh:
I find this "condition" when visiting most Veterans Centers to offer our support. And any of the Veteran hospitals, can not (won't) accept our offer due to "health reasons". They have kitchens and staff to feed the Vets. We've tried many times.
The MVF has a kitchen and staff that like having us. One reason we support them with 2 cooks each year.
We can't do enough for our Vets.

[Diesel Dave]

Phil, awesome new site to help reach out to get more involved.

We do many cooks, and honestly it really isn't much work to do these things. I guess with experience it gets easier, but it is also very satisfying to see the faces of the Vets we serve.
And as Tom said, the MVF has a full staff and kitchen. But those folks appreciate us and have become our friends. We always have a great time. Heck Joey has to come to every event, they've known him since he was 4 months old :laugh:
It also instils into him, and other young ones, what the right thing to do is. I could tell you stories about Joey that would bring a tear to your eye.
He got a new play doh kitchen set for Christmas last year. He was setting plates and making "food". We asked him what he was doing. His answer "cooking for the Veterans dad"
All are welcome to come to our events and help out, bring the family. We always have a good time and the Veterans love it

[Pstores]

Many times last year I cooked a bunch of food and Delivered it to areas where homeless hangout. Many or most of them are vets. It's pretty sad for me when I see this. I just ordered a new IVC from Lonestar Grillz that will help me cook more food than ever to be able to delivered...... I am trying to figure out a better plan in my area. I have no means to transport it. But, if anyone ever needs help feeding vets in almost any part of the country. And I have enough notice. I'll be there..... Long story but I have strong feelings on feeding vets, and the homeless...

Should have said cant transport long distances..... Can do cooks a couple hours from my house with it. Unless I get a smaller lighter trailer. Which could happen by next year. Probably won't be able to swing it this year.

[oifmarine2003]

I would recommend anyone that can do one of these vet cooks should really think about volunteering. We drove out to NY last year from Chicago and it was a great experience! Phil and Eric do a great job getting everything lined up. I am sure Brother Dave has it down to a science as well. Would definitely like to help out with a cook in Michigan one of these days.

[SmittyJonz]

I did a Google search for Veterans Groups in DFW area and found a cpl small non profits and emailed them to see if they would be interested in a Veterans Picnic - BBQ Bash Style.
If they email back and are interested I'll let y'all know and Hopefully some of you DFW Brethren will want in.......... :heh:

[ebijack]

If any of you would like to help this Memorial Day, We would be glad to have you and your help. Dave is smoking/shredding the porkbutts and bringing those hot to the MVF. The rest we are preparing there in their new kitchen. We will be there around 9:30/10 am to start prepping for an approximate 11:30 lunch time.
We will also be helping serve food along with the kitchen staff.
Expect to have a real good time with alot of great folks.

4626 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48208
Between Warren/Forest Ave. on Grand River. East side of the street. About 2 minutes south of I-94 (Grand River exit)

[Diesel Dave]

Tom and I visited there yesterday and WOW is the new building amazing!!

This is such a great place for our homeless Veterans to get back on their feet and transition to a great new life of independence.
Actually during our walk through with Mr Chapman, one Veteran asked him for the number to the realtor. Right there was a great moment for me.

Hope to see/meet some of you guys there Monday

[fleihr]

do you guys know how long you will be there?

[Jrogers84]

Look forward to seeing you fellas there

[ebijack]

do you guys know how long you will be there?
We'll be there as long as required. Probably till 3 p.m.
If you need to leave early, not a problem. Any help is appreciated.

[fleihr]

count me in, me and my wife will be happy to help where we can

[Diesel Dave]

Thanks!!! It's going to be a great time. Even though we're "working" it's a lot of fun with some really great folks

[ebijack]

We had alot of GREAT help today! From the prep work to HURRY THEY WANT TO BE SERVED NOW!, not in 1 more hour as was the plan :boxing:
Everyone was great. Was a great time with lots of confusion ( as usual) :hand:
Anyway, I don't want to get the Brethren who showed up to help names wrong, so I will let them speak up. :thumb:
Some of you know the boss
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/RUkA9q.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnRUkA9qj)
he was instructing Dave on what to do.....:eusa_clap
The crowds had formed outside and inside
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/0NpcSx.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po0NpcSxj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/oD2nNt.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pooD2nNtj)
Smoke Ninja manned the flat top while the porkbutts were being pulled and panned
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/bIAb1w.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pobIAb1wj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/Iu55Ho.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/poIu55Hoj)
We had quite a few other volunteers that showed up! Boy was that a help!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/924/mRp4zL.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pomRp4zLj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/SsvQYF.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnSsvQYFj)

[fleihr]

Me and the wife had a blast and it was nice meeting some of the brethren

[smoke ninja]

@ the pentagon

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_124745_zpspm3sev7o.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_124745_zpspm3sev7o.jpg.html)

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/IMG_20170529_114247_035_zpstc8j6usf.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/IMG_20170529_114247_035_zpstc8j6usf.jpg.html)

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_112551_zpsmz6fgoc2.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_112551_zpsmz6fgoc2.jpg.html)

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_102439_zpsfqjjb1t7.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_102439_zpsfqjjb1t7.jpg.html)

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_102435_zps1ic1w7ql.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_102435_zps1ic1w7ql.jpg.html)

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_100520_zps7mmndnvw.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/Michigan%20%20Custom%20Que/20170529_100520_zps7mmndnvw.jpg.html)

[Norm]

Awesome work folks!

Thanks for sharing the day with us. :)

[cfrazier77]

Thank you to anyone who serves our vets. They deserve our best.

[smoke ninja]

Thanks again Dave and Tom for allowing us to be a part of this great tradition

[Diesel Dave]

A BIG thanks to Fleihr and his wife as well as Jrogers84 for coming out to help us yesterday :thumb:


Is always great to meet other members from the Brethren. Your help was greatly appreciated.

Here's a pic of us getting the pork pulled, thats Jrogers in the gray shirt

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy92/pignoutbbq/IMG_0729_zps9j4edjwy.jpg (http://s781.photobucket.com/user/pignoutbbq/media/IMG_0729_zps9j4edjwy.jpg.html)

And here's one just before serving started

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy92/pignoutbbq/IMG_0735_zpsljn03bdx.jpg (http://s781.photobucket.com/user/pignoutbbq/media/IMG_0735_zpsljn03bdx.jpg.html)

Here's Joey getting his wings from the Tuskegee Airmen. I'll put them up so one day when he is older I can tell him what they really mean and who he actually met. Thanks :becky: for helping me out with him yesterday and getting that great picture

http://i781.photobucket.com/albums/yy92/pignoutbbq/IMG_0731_zps69lj2jzh.jpg (http://s781.photobucket.com/user/pignoutbbq/media/IMG_0731_zps69lj2jzh.jpg.html)

Steves second from last picture is fleihr stirring and watching the beans

There were a bunch of thanks and speeches going on before serving yesterday. But to me the most touching and emotional moment was at the end of the dedication to the fallen, when the bugler played Taps. Joey and I were about 15 feet away from him. Even Joey was quiet and just listened. It was a very great moment and touched everyone deeply

The new building and kitchen are just amazing, and the MVF is able to do so much more to reintegrate the Veterans who need help back into society. The folks there do some very amazing and wonderful things

[Diesel Dave]

Steve, Justin and Darnell, thank you all for being there to join in the fun.
All you guys and Mrs Fleihr's help was greatly appreciated, not only by us but everyone we served.

Hope to see the new guys to the group again soon.

[Jrogers84]

Had a great time. Please, throw me a pm when you do these if I miss the post. I dont see a reason why I can t make it out to help. My little one had a great time meeting the vets.

BTW.....he makes some mean pork......

[KevinJ]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Diesel Dave]

Hey guys, we're doing the Former POW's lunch on Thursday.
IT's going to be in Plymouth MI, and if anyone would like to join us soot me a PM and I'll give you the details

These are some true hero's and as usual it's fun to meet them

[smoke ninja]

You the man Hal....er i mean Dave

[ebijack]

See ya there!

[Norm]

I can't be there obviously Dave but can I help with a donation to the cause?

[DaChief]

This is outstanding Dave! Wish I could make it.

[Diesel Dave]

Sure you can Norm, either hit the link in my signature or Toms or Steves.

If you wan to do it another way PM me Brother.
We appreciate all the donations we've gotten and so do our Veterans

Tom and I will be doing this one on Thursday, then 2 more for the Visually Impaired Veterans next week.

[Norm]

Thanks Dave!

I must be half blind not to have seen the link on your sig...

[ebijack]

As these fine POW folks honored us for the meals we prepared and brought. Brother Diesel Dave spoke about how what we do was all started due to the BBQ Brethren. And the many great folks here who help donate $$ for this cause. We all thank all of you!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/Nn4838.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnNn4838j)
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http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/923/LWQQ3g.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnLWQQ3gj)
We brought brisket, ribs, beans, mac n cheese, coleslaw, chicken, and smoked salmon.
Cold Stone Creamery supplied the ice cream.

[Jrogers84]

Good on you guys. Thank you for representing so well.

[Diesel Dave]

Thanks Jroger84 :thumb: and to all who donate to help us pull this off.

It was a great time, and getting to talk with the few of these Hero's that are left was amazing.
If you look in the second picture, the young lady on the left, did an amazing job singing the National Anthem. Very touching, as her Grandfather, who's next to her, is a Veteran and member of Rolling Thunder.
The gentleman in the blue shirt behind the table was real fun and funny to chat with. He came back after lunch and was talking for a bit.
It just makes your heart smile to see the smile on these mens faces, and know they enjoyed the meal and fellowship

Thanks again to everyone who helps

[PatAttack]

Excellent job as always, Brothers!!:clap:

[smoke ninja]

Way to go fellas

[Big George's BBQ]

Dave you are awesome Thanks for what you do

[bbqwizard]

Awesome Guy's!

[ShadowDriver]

Can someone please roll along with you guys with a tape recorder.. a digital voice recorder... something!? Seriously..... we're losing all these stories on a daily basis.

I don't have a good source of stories out here these days. The US Govt honestly tries to catch these stories via StoryCorps, but it's just not enough...

Someone please tell us how we can help. Food and Bev often leads to story time. How do we capitalize on this last bit to save a National Treasure?

Just a thought.

[Diesel Dave]

Thanks everyone, Tom and I enjoy doing this. And we always appreciate any help we have, so do the Veterans.

Shadow, that is a great idea. But the problem is these are usually midday lunch events. Tom is retired, and I am able to do them because of my situation in the summer. So it isn't easy for a lot of folks to go.
Actually you don't hear too many stories from the POWs especially. It's not something they discuss openly. Now you will hear little short ones about how they were captured, or something they did in theater. But not much honestly.

And you're so very right, we are losing this National treasure. That group is getting very small.

[PatAttack]

Can someone please roll along with you guys with a tape recorder.. a digital voice recorder... something!? Seriously..... we're losing all these stories on a daily basis.

I don't have a good source of stories out here these days. The US Govt honestly tries to catch these stories via StoryCorps, but it's just not enough...

Someone please tell us how we can help. Food and Bev often leads to story time. How do we capitalize on this last bit to save a National Treasure?

Just a thought.

Marc, they have the farking glasses that are recording at all times HD with voice. I thought that was only military but it's stateside now with the "locals"... 1984...1984.

Thank you guys for doing what you do.!!!:thumb:

[Diesel Dave]

Here are a few pictures from yesterdays picnic in Ann Arbor for the Blind Veterans.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8c5cssQ/0/ba15cb0b/L/i-8c5cssQ-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-M8fMVMP/0/14da059b/L/i-M8fMVMP-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XGjnCL8/0/d63a9ef3/L/i-XGjnCL8-L.jpg

It was a great day in a very nice park, everyone enjoyed the food and the good time.
Thanks again to everyone who helped make this happen.

[Norm]

Thanks for sharing the day with us Dave!