SAUGUS — American Legion Post 210 hosted more than 50 people for breakfast Friday morning. The crowd, primarily consisting of veterans, were welcomed to an all-you-can-eat meal.
44 Taylor St. opens its doors every Friday morning during the fall, winter, and spring for veterans to start their day by enjoying a meal together. In turn, the Saugus Veterans Council asks for $8 donations to support the American Legion. However, no one is turned away for an inability to donate.
Legion Senior Vice Cmdr. Joe Dion and his wife, Debra Dion Faust, have been serving the weekly crowds for more than a decade. As time has gone on, the breakfast’s popularity has grown, and the couple has had to work harder to deliver the morning meal.
“We started this in 2012 with maybe 18 or 20 people, but you can see what we’re dealing with today,” Dion Faust said. “We go out shopping for groceries on a Wednesday and we shop for ourselves and for the legion.”
Dion Faust explained the importance of being frugal and smart when shopping for food so the legion can benefit from the donations.
“We try to do things that make sense and save money,” Dion Faust explained.
Dion sits in front of the flat-top gas stove each Friday, cooking omelet after omelet.
“We did this to get veterans out of the house,” Dion said. “It’s about the camaraderie we possess…. If any one of us need help, they got it.”
Saugus Veterans Council Cmdr. Steve Castinetti looks forward to the weekly gatherings with his fellow Saugus vets. He explained the benefits and appeal of the breakfast that has drawn such a loyal crowd throughout the years.
“This is probably one of the more enjoyable fundraisers that the legion does,” Castinetti said. “You can’t go out for breakfast today with the things they have here for eight bucks… anyone that wants to come can come.”
Castinetti also emphasized the camaraderie among veterans at the breakfast. Army and Navy veteran Geoff Trainer tripled down on the premise that the bond forged through this fundraiser is a serious one.
“We have a good time, we’re loud, we’re boisterous, and we have fun,” Trainer said. “It’s a tremendous group of people.”
