BRENTWOOD, Pa. — It’s Fish Fry season in Western Pennsylvania, and for Brentwood VFWs Post 1810, it’s their first full-service one since before the pandemic.
Henry and Deanne Manella arrived at the VFW on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Brentwood at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. But for the couple and other volunteers, the long hours spent inside kitchen are well worth it, serving up Lenten favorites and much more, all for a greater purpose.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF FISH FRYS HAPPENING IN OUR AREA.
“The veterans. We’re here for the veterans,” said Deanne.
But there have been some challenges along the way, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic canceling events, so the VFW had to improvise.
“They did do the drive-bys and stuff, pickup and that…” said Deanne.
“It’s good to finally get back to normal,” Henry said.
For the next few weeks, they’ll open up their doors to the public, not just members, every Friday for lunch and dinner, but tacking inflation has been tough.
“We have the filtration system for our fryers, but prior to that, the oil was our most costly, and now we’re noticing, in just a few weeks, the lunch meat for our hoagies has gone up,” Deanne said.
The Mannellas said getting both the community and younger veterans involved in the VFW is crucial, so the auxiliary can continue to help veterans in need, which makes the annual Fish Fry that much more significant.
“So when I go down to D.C., your membership gives me a voice, and the more voices i have, the more legislation will listen to us,” said Henry, who is the State Commander for the VFW Department of Pennsylvania.
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