VETS HOME OFFERS LUNCH TO RELATIVES

Nancy Slaughter usually makes the trip from St. Louis to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau every other weekend to see her father, who served in Australia in World War II.

Sunday was special, she said, because she got to see her dad, Matthew Slivon, on Father's Day.

She wasn't the only one. As it has every Father's Day since opening in 1990, the Veterans Home served a barbecued lunch to veterans and their families, giving them a chance to come together for the occasion.

Slaughter thought the lunch was a wonderful thing to do for the families. "They do lots of activities like this," she said, "and treat the residents with a lot of respect. They're so well taken care of."

The event was sponsored by the Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838 and Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 3838, and featured hickory-smoked hot dogs and hamburgers barbecued on the VFW's grill.

Brenda Turner, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said the goal of the lunch was to provide a worry-free day for the veterans and their families.

"They can visit and not have to worry about where they're going to eat or what they're going to do all day," she said.

About 300 people showed up for the event, according to Ken Lipps, public relations director of the Veteran's Home. It's hard to get an exact count, he said, because people come and go throughout the afternoon.

"Everybody really seems to enjoy this event," he said.

Loretta Chapman made the trip from Florissant, Mo., to visit her husband, Clarence, who served in World War II and has lived at the Veteran's Home for nearly three years. He also seemed happy with the event. "If I can't be home, I'd just as soon be here," he said.

Frances Tallman of Cape Girardeau came to visit her husband, Jack, who served as an aircraft radio operator in the U.S. Navy. She said Cape is fortunate to have a place like the Veterans Home. "They have such excellent facilities and take such good care of the residents," she said. "I thank God every night for this place."

Joan Martin and Evelyn Taylor of East Cape Girardeau, Ill., said they come visit their brother, World War II veteran Ray Taylor, for just about all of the activities. "They're so great with the entertainment activities," Martin said. "They're really to be praised."

Peachy Wadeking, who served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, is one of four female residents at the home. She said she didn't mind the fathers getting all the attention Sunday.

"Oh, they do something special for us all the time," she said. "This food is excellent -- a far cry from what I can do."