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JACKSON VFW RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR
By Lauren Puglisi
 | | --Photos Courtesy Of VFW's Senior Vice Commander Barbara Kim Above, guests at the VFW celebrated with friends and loved ones when the ball dropped and rang in the start of the new year. At right, veteran William McGuire was best dressed in his tuxedo on New Years Eve. |
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Veterans, longtime friends and family members came together to bring in the new year at the Jackson Veterans of Foreign War post last Monday night.
Barbara Kim, the VFW's senior vice commander, said the New Year's Eve celebration has been a popular event since she started working at the Jackson post in 1996.
"People from a wide range of ages have always felt comfortable coming to the VFW on the eve of the new year to drink, eat and have a good time," Kim said.
As the doors opened, guests that had already purchased their $40 tickets crowded around the bar to mingle with friends and have their first drinks of the night.
"When the majority of the guests settled in, we all set up food and snacks were available for the entirety of the night to ensure that guests had full stomachs as they continued to drink," Kim said.
The Majestic Mixers entertained guests with their diverse music selection, which helped for all age groups to enjoy themselves on the dance floor. Kim said guests enjoyed the music so much that she ended up paying them extra to stay until they closed at 2 a.m., which allowed for people to request songs all night long.
When it came time to countdown to the new year, members of the VFW handed out champagne and party favors to all of the guests.
"When the ball dropped, people that had never even met before were hugging and wishing each other a happy New Year," Kim said. "It was great to see that everyone got along and enjoyed themselves."
VFW volunteers said that everyone came together as a close group; people who liked rock 'n' roll were dancing and talking with elders that enjoyed classical or traditional music.
People started to disperse when the dance floor cleared out and bar closed. Members of the VFW always plan on finding rides home for those who are not suited to drive, but this year, they were surprised to see that the entire crowd had already made their own personal arrangements.
Kim said that she was so happy to take notice to the fact that all of the guests that chose to drink that night had prearranged designated drivers.
"We hope that every year the crowd for our New Year's Eve party grows because we are a non-profit organization," Kim said, "All of the money that we raised from ticket sales that night will go directly towards scholarships, the caring for Iraqi vets and towards the upkeep of the building."
The Jackson post VFW plans on continuing to hold their New Year's Eve event for veterans, members and to the general public for many upcoming years.
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