Stones casino to host annual Vietnam Veterans Luncheon

By Sara Beth Williams–
An annual Vietnam Veterans Luncheon is set to be held March 28 at Stones Gambling Hall, in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The event honoring veterans will take place at Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar, located at Stones Gambling Hall in Citrus Heights. Lunch will be provided free for any Vietnam War veterans and will run from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. To receive a free meal, veterans must wear something that signifies they served in the Vietnam War.

The tradition of hosting a luncheon first began in 2018, according to Paul Reyes, Commander with the American Legion Post 637. Reyes said the first gathering was a breakfast with roughly 100 veterans in attendance. Afterward, the event became a luncheon with between 10 and 15 regularly attending until 2020.

This year will be the fifth occurrence of the event due to pandemic-related restrictions causing the event to be put on pause, Reyes said, adding that he’s received thirty or more RSVPs and anticipates 50 or more guests to be in attendance.

In March 2017, former President Donald Trump signed into law the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act to officially recognize March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Because March 29, 2024 lands on Good Friday, a Christian and Catholic Holy Day, Reyes said the restaurant moved the scheduled luncheon up to March 28.

“This event is important to me and the Veteran community because all those years ago when we came home, we were not very well-liked by our county,” Reyes said, adding that Vietnam War veterans were called names and accused of “all types of atrocities.”

Reyes said anyone who would like to attend the luncheon should contact Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar directly so the establishment can collect an accurate estimate of how many to expect. The restaurant is located at 6510 Antelope Rd., in Citrus Heights.