By Joey McWilliams
DURANT – Operation Homeward Bound is hosting its bi-monthly bike night, inviting veterans and the community in general to come out.
This month, it is a Halloween-themed gathering – a Trunk or Treat – that will be hosted by RibCrib in Durant at 311 Westside Drive from 5-9 p.m.
With bounce houses, activities and candy, the Trunk or Treat is set to welcome children and adults, and is also an opportunity to honor veterans, servicemen and first responders.
Mark Helton, founder of Operation Homeward Bound, said that this month the bike night was changed to something a little different to give ‘Halloweeners’ a place to go.
“Usually, it’s a bike night for veterans who are bikers to have a chance to come in and associate and get to know each other,” Helton said
Tonight, we’re going to have 12-15 vendors there, foster care, home health. There will be candy and a live D.J. and so many other things. Costume contests for adults and kids.
“We have raffle prizes that are just amazing and tickets for sale here. Shirts for sale, too. And 100 percent the money raised goes to purchase flags for our senior citizens in nursing homes an assisted living. So that when they depart the earth, they go out the front door and draped in a flag.”
Started months ago by Helton, Operation Homeward Bound is an organization that works to purchase flags with which to honor veterans and their spouses at the time of passing.
He has been working with hospice facilities and those who care for seniors in Bryan County and throughout the Texoma area and his organization wants to ensure that every senior veteran leaves their facility or home covered in the American Flag for which each fought.
There will also be a special table tonight for veterans from World War II.
The entire community is invited to come and participate – to enjoy the event and to honor the veterans.