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A Veterans Picnic on June 16 celebrated veterans living at the Cedar Ridge Veterans Facility for their sacrifice and service in the United States Armed Forces.

The picnic was a “joint-venture” of Disabled America Veterans Chapter 33 and Southern Care New Beacon in Clanton, according to Lisa Nicholas of Southern Care New Beacon.

“There’s 17 veterans that live at Cedar Ridge, and we paid honor and gave tribute to each one of them,” she said.

Veterans were presented with plaques by DAV Chapter 33 and certificates by Southern Care New Beacon, in addition to numerous items and treats donated by other community members.

Picnic-goers enjoyed a barbecue, coleslaw and watermelon lunch with cobbler and ice cream for dessert, all donated from local and regional businesses.

“It was just a really nice, big day,” Nicholas said.

Uncle Sam delivered a “fabulous” presentation, Nicholas said.

“I mean, it’s not complete without Uncle Sam,” she said. “His history lesson was fabulous. He started off with, ‘My birth certificate was the Constitution’… We did Paul Revere, Helen Keller, the Wright brothers. It was fabulous.”

Nicholas said the picnic was created to provide special recognition to the Cedar Ridge veterans, whom she said are deserving of tribute every day.

“I picked the middle of the year because the veterans are always remembered Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and they need to be remembered every day of the year,” she said. “It’s because of them that we can have the life that we have.”

DAV Chapter 33 and Southern Care New Beacon extend special thanks to Wind Creek Casino Hotel in Montgomery, J&S Produce, Main Street Café, Todd’s Produce and Peach Park for donating food items for the event, with additional thanks to “many other community members (who) donated money, time and items.”

Nicholas said she believes DAV Chapter 33 and Southern Care New Beacon will host the event again next year.

“It went very well, and of course, next year, we hope it will be bigger and more community members will be involved,” she said.

Cedar Ridge Veterans Facility is located at 325 County Rd. 272 in Clanton, near the Collins Chapel Fire Department.

For more information about the veterans’ facility, visit the Cedar Ridge Veterans Facility Facebook page or call (205) 688-3034.