The San Benito Elks Lodges and San Benito Veteran's Advisory Board hosted a special dinner Tuesday night in honor of local service men and women who spent almost a year in the Middle East.
Raul Moreno, with the Army National Guard tells Action 4 News, "We just got back from Bagdad, Iraq."
"Of course it was pretty dangerous, but the only thing I can really remember was the heat, sweating all the time", said Specialist Juan Vela.
Soldiers and their families enjoy a steak dinner catered by Outback Steakhouse.
"We do our part whenever we can", said Ray Garcia with Outback Steakhouse.
"They are out there doing what they do so we can do what we do here in American so it's the least we can do for them", said Garcia.
Victor Garza Chairman of the Veteran's Advisory Board tells Action 4 News, "The most important thing for me is to make sure troops know were that we are thankful for everything that they do."
"We figure as long as there is a vet we are going to be there to take care of them", said Norma Williams with the Elks Lodge.
As for the soldiers they felt very appreciative.
"I mean this is the first time I've had something like this, you know like who for me I feel very thankful", said Specialist Juan Vela.
The San Benito Elks Lodge has been very involved with the local Army National Guard troop.
During the troop’s deployment, lodge members shipped over 800 pounds of care packages to soldiers overseas.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT