HERMISTON — All veterans are invited to a free veterans picnic at Hermiston’s McKenzie Park on Saturday, Sept. 25. The event, sponsored by Hermiston’s American Legion and Auxiliary Post 37, will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Rotary Shack on the park’s north side.

Legion and Auxiliary members will provide plates, cutlery and an assortment of salads, plus baked beans, charcoal-grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Post members also will provide condiments, chips, lemonade and bottled water. Dessert will include cookies and fresh-picked watermelons donated by Walchli Farms. Members are welcome to bring additional side dishes or desserts, but none are required.

Cathy Stolz, Hermiston’s American Legion Auxiliary president, said, “Area veterans need only bring their immediate family, a hefty appetite and perhaps a folding chair or two.”

The Veterans Picnic is a social event for veterans to meet together. However, always seeking to help veterans, the Legion and Auxiliary have invited Umatilla County Veteran Service officers to attend the picnic. In addition, Legion officers have resources available and wish to assist their fellow veterans in any way possible.

Membership forms will be available for veterans desiring to join the nation’s largest veterans organization, which has been helping veterans since March 15, 1919, more than 102 years. The major requirement for membership is that an honorable discharge was earned after service in the U.S. military, including the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines (World War II only). Overseas service is not mandatory. To further encourage veterans to join the American Legion, Hermiston’s Post 37 pays new members’ first-year dues, $40.

Further information, call 541-571-5816 or 541-720-1815.