A member of the Hermiston American Legion salutes during a Veterans Day breakfast at the Hermiston Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.

HERMISTON — Aaron Wetterling and around 140 other veterans shared food and camaraderie during a Veterans Day breakfast in Hermiston.

“It’s always a great time,” Wetterling said about the annual event, and he credited Hermiston Parks and Recreation Department employees, including Diana Picard, recreation coordinator, and Kelly Schwirse, clerk, for a “fantastic job helping us.”

Brandon Artz, interim director of parks and rec, explained the department took over the breakfast to keep it from being a drive-thru event. His department got together with sponsors, including Hale’s Restaurant, the Pheasant Blue Collar Bar & Grill and Vern’s Food Service, he said. He added that volunteers, such as the Hermiston Kiwanis Club, helped make the breakfast possible.

Wetterling, who served in the Marines from 1966 to 1970, told stories of his service during the Vietnam War. His service made a lasting impact, he said, which included 20 years of “jungle rot” on his feet that mostly went away. These days, he still experiences occasional itchy feet, but nothing as bad as it once was.

The larger effect was on his personality, he said. Wetterling described a “military bearing,” which he developed. The way he dresses, including the order in which he puts on clothes and the carefulness he shows to straightening his “gig line” are part of this bearing, he said. 

A gig line is the imaginary vertical line that can be drawn through the buckle of a belt up through the buttons of a shirt, and Wetterling expressed pride that his gig line was straight.

His service, he said, also links him to other service members, with whom he interacts as “old friends,” even when he does not know their names.

With these friends, Wetterling talks about family members and shared acquaintances, reminiscing over old times and discussing life events.

One of these fellow vets at the event was William Hill, 74, of Hermiston, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He said he is proud to have served and he is happy for opportunities like the breakfast, which allow him to meet other veterans.

An honor guard member for American Legion Post 37, Hermiston, Hill said he is not accustomed to talking about his Army days.

“It was a million-dollar experience,” he said, “but I’d hate to have to spend a million dollars to do it again.”

Richard Mattes, 76, of Pendleton, also served in the U.S. Army. He described his time in the military, 12 months in the Vietnam War, serving with an artillery unit. This service began immediately after a delayed enlistment, which he took so that he could be present at the birth of his son, he said.

Mattes said he appreciated the event.

“I like to hear the music and talk to vets, and I enjoy myself to a nice meal,” he said.

Mattes was sitting with Paul Kelly, 68, of Hermiston. Kelly served from 1972 to 1975 at Fort Lewis, Washington, with the 9th Infantry Division band. His concerts took him to Alaska and other locations.

He, too, said he was very happy with the event.

Artz said he hopes next year’s event can include more people. Pre-pandemic, the Veterans Day Breakfast did not try to limit the number of attendees, he said.