 The annual Pearl Harbor Dinner has been a tradition in Bemidji for nearly a decade. Lakeland News reporter Cheryl Moore shares how veterans commemorated the evening in this week's community spotlight. Last week, the U.S. recognized the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Yesterday, over 60 local veterans got together to reflect on their time in service. We have an annual Pearl Harbor Dinner. We include it as a membership dinner and also thanking the Pearl Harbor veterans and all veterans. So, it's a membership dinner and the celebration of the Pearl Harbor Day. The vets were treated to a roast beef dinner served by the students from the J-R-O-T-C at the Bemidji High School. There was also a silent auction with proceeds going to local veterans and a guest speaker to help celebrate the evening. The things that veterans, you know, we come from all walks of life, from all demographic organizations and, you know, communities, but we all become one community as a veteran. And so it's really important to, you know, share that, to celebrate that and understand that we're better than, you know, just one individual here, one individual there that is a community we are, you know, very powerful and very resilient. The veterans that sat in these chairs tonight got more than just a warm meal. Tonight was also filled with laughter and comradery. There aren't as many gatherings of this size as there used to be and it's just a good thing for veterans to be able to come together and talk. During the ceremony, vets who served overseas were recognized. There was even one veteran who was there during the attack in Pearl Harbor. The vets who lost their lives during service were also honored during a special part of the ceremony. It was a great event to top up another successful year for the Bemidji Auxiliary Club. It's just a fun evening for veterans and their families to come together. The dinner was great. The whole thing was in the speaker, he was really great. Reporting in Bemidji with this week's community spotlight, Cheryl Moore, Lakeland News. The Bemidji Auxiliary Club hosts events for veterans throughout the year and they're always looking for new members. If you're interested, we have the information on our website, lptv.org. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.