Despite destroyed home, vet still invites soldiers for Thanksgiving fest

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Thanksgiving event for military men and women as well as veterans will go on this year. However, it may look a little different thanks to Hurricane Florence.

Bill O’Brien runs a non-profit called Veteran Owned Veteran Grown.

He says it is aimed at helping veterans and their families get involved in agriculture.

One of the biggest events he hosts each year is called Operation Thanksgiving Blessing.

“Thanksgiving is something special for virtually all of us,” O’Brien said. “We all know that feeling of wanting to be home for a nice warm meal and being around everybody, watching football and talking.”

He invites active service members and veterans that do not have anywhere else to spend the holiday.

“This would be our fifth year doing it,” O’Brien said. “It started out relatively small with about 60 people here, and it’s grown considerably year by year.”

Florence virtually destroyed O’Brien’s home. Some wondered if the annual event would be canceled.

He says not only will it go on as planned, but he plans to do it bigger than ever, opening the event to those impacted by the hurricane.

“If everything goes according to plan, we’re probably going to have close to 300 or 400 people out here, if not more,” O’Brien said.

He says there will be games for kids and adults and plenty of turkey and pigs cooking. O’Brien said says it’s important for him to give back.

“Without the local community here, we wouldn’t exist,” he said. “Even though we’re catered toward veterans and the military, a lot of local community backs us.”

The big event is Thanksgiving Day at O’Brien’s home at 7356 Highway 53 East near Burgaw.

If you want to volunteer or attend, he only asks that you bring a loving mentality and plenty of hugs.