Beckyanne Theriot, the owner of “A First Class Move,” a local moving company that sponsored the event and Richard Kirkland, an Air Force WWII and Korean War veteran. Theriot brought her pug Pearl to the Thanksgiving meal at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Tuesday, Nov. 14 in Vienna. Photo by Colin Stoecker/The Connection
The main hall of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna was crowded with seniors who were provided a Thanksgiving luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 14. The meal – complete with turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie – was prepared by culinary students from the nearby Davis Career Center.
“This is a wonderful service to the mature adults in the community,” said Rema Smith, an office administrator with the Shepherd Center who sponsored the event in coordination with the Vienna Community Center, A First Class Move, and the town of Vienna.
“It’s quite good, there are a lot of volunteers here. Today we have around 100 people, from nursing and retirement homes. We do this in conjunction with the town of Vienna,” said Estelle McNeil, a 65-year Vienna resident and former member of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
One of the organizers of the event, Beckyanne Theriot, the owner of A First Class Move, a local moving company that assists the elderly with their move from home into retirement communities, was holding her pet and mascot, Pearl the pug.
“This is my second year working at this event, and it’s important to be closer. The people here are real and appreciate having the community being a part of their lives as much as we do. Pearl is our consultation therapy dog,” Theriot said.
A barber shop quartet style band, the “Antiques Road Show,” were wearing red matching jackets, with one of them in a distinctive green jacket as they prepared to perform for the lunch audience.
Richard Kirkland and his wife Maria were sitting with Theriot and her pug enjoying the Thanksgiving lunch. Richard Kirkland is an Air Force WWII and Korean War veteran, and used to fly fighter planes.
“He’s quite the ace,” said Maria Kirkland. “He used to share a tent with Dick Bong and Tony McGuire in WWII. He also flew rescue missions with helicopters in Korea,” she said.
“The food is great!” said Richard Kirkland.