GREENVILLE — A Montgomery County man accepted a Henry Golden Boy military service tribute rifle at Cope’s Distributing, a firearm retailer in Greenville, on Monday. The rifle was awarded as part of a raffle organized by Darke County Veterans Services.
The raffle was advertised on the Veterans Services department’s Facebook page and at several local events, including Poultry Days. Proceeds went toward funding a trip to Washington D.C. for Darke County veterans and their families.
“It’s primarily a trip for the veterans, so they can see all the memorials,” Veterans Services Department Head Thomas Pitman said. “Including the Vietnam, World War II, and Korean War memorial. We’re also going to tour the Capitol Building, go to Arlington Cemetery to place a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier, and we’re going to see the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania on the way back.”
A similar trip was planned in 2013. The trip is all-inclusive, providing bus transportation, lodging, and meals for staffers, veterans and their families. 54 people will be taking part in the trip, leaving for Washington D.C. Sept 28 and returning October 1.
“We’re just gonna see as much as we can,” said Pitman. “That’s why we’re going for three days – to give everyone time to see as much as possible without having to rush.”
Pitman was pleased with the turnout for the raffle.
“It was very successful,” Pitman said. “We raised a lot of money for the trip.”
Cope’s Distributing owner Roger Cope, whose father-in-law is a Vietnam veteran, sold the rifle to Veteran’s Services at cost in order to support the raffle. The rifle, which bears nickeled and partially gold-plated engravings of the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, and the Statue of Liberty, retails for around $1,100.
“We always like to help them raise money for the veterans,” Cope said. “That’s always a good cause.”
Darke County Veterans Services will be holding a second fundraiser to support the Washington D.C. trip Sept 23. The event, a spaghetti dinner and silent auction, will be held at the American Legion Post 140 headquarters in Greenville. Items being auctioned include a bench carved by Bear Hollow Wood Carvers during their exhibition at the Darke County Fair, a framed poster depicting numerous American military uniforms from throughout the nation’s history, and various items donated by Darke County businesses.
Wilbur Meyer, the Montgomery County resident who won the raffle at a drawing held last Wednesday at the Darke County fairgrounds, thanked Mr. Cope and the Veterans Services office before accepting the award.
“We thank you for your contribution,” Pitman said. “It’s going to help a lot of veterans.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
