How to go
What: Veterans Appreciation Train Ride
Where: LM&M Railroad, 127 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon
When: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free for veterans; $13 adults, $8 seniors and children
Reservations: (513) 933-8022, ext. 101
What: USO Style Dance
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lebanon Banquet Center (Old Post Office) 121 S. Broadway, Lebanon
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Tickets: (513)933-8022, ext. 106
Veterans will receive special tributes and a free train ride Saturday, courtesy of the LM&M Railroad.
All veterans can take a free, one-hour train ride on the passenger train that travels through Lebanon. The train will have vintage military displays and actors dressed in period clothing.
“This is a chance to honor veterans and have a really fun trip around Lebanon,” said Robert Chapman, an operator with the LM&M Railroad. Chapman is a 20-year veteran of the Air Force and a former fighter pilot.
The event also serves as a benefit for the USO’s Operation Enduring Care, the USO’s charity that deals with supporting the “continuum of care” for Americans struggling with returning home after serving overseas.
Chapman said several honors are planned for participating veterans.
“As each train pulls into the station we will welcome each veteran coming off the train,” Chapman said. “Maybe this will give them the welcome home they didn’t get when they came home from serving our country, especially if they served in Vietnam.”
Following the train ride a “canteen” will be set up at the Lebanon Banquet Center and old Post Office on South Broadway. The canteen will have refreshments and displays, Chapman said.
At night, the Banquet Center will be transformed into a period USO dance. Smitty’s Live Orchestra will perform songs from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s from 7 to 10 p.m. Refreshments will be provided from Doc’s Place, the Patriot Steakhouse and Porky Capone’s BBQ. Guests are invited to dress in period garb if they so desire.
The cost of the dance is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.
This is the second year for the Veterans Appreciation trains and USO weekend. $600 was raised last year, and more than 50 people participated in the dance, Chapman said
“We’re looking to triple our numbers this year,” Chapman said. “We’re expecting a sellout of 150 at the dance.”
Train rides begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Tickets for the train ride can be ordered by calling (513) 933-8022, ext. 101. Reservations for the USO dance can be made by calling (513) 933-8022, ext. 106.
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