by David Flint
Knuckleheads Restaurant in Stephentown, which has been closed for a number of weeks for a much needed vacation and some renovations to the kitchen, will reopen on Thursday, September 22 at 4 pm.
[private]Owner and Chef Bob Davis is planning a Reopening Weekend that will feature a tribute to organizations that support our troops in the field and to one staunch and tireless supporter in particular, Military Mom in Action.
Davis is inviting everyone to come on Saturday, September 24 from 1 to 6 pm and meet Kathy and Ken Buckley of the Military Mom in Action organization that is based in Melrose, NY.
The Buckleys began sending cookies and snacks to soldiers when their two oldest sons were deployed to Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Realizing that many did not get that kind of support – or any support at all – from home, they started Military Mom in Action in 2003. They now send care packages on a monthly basis to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines all around the world – about 1,100 packages a month, sometimes more, and special packages at Christmas time. The boxes vary at different times but may include cookies, tootsie pops, gum, hard candy, beef jerky, fruit snacks, pretzels, granola bars, crackers, socks, phone cards, toiletry items and tubes of powdered tea, koolade or fitness drinks. Each package also includes a letter from Kathy with scraps of news about home life.
The Buckleys have received many awards and commendations from government officials, news organizations, service clubs, community organizations and military units. Kathy says they couldn’t do it without the support of their many volunteers and donors and what they most appreciate receiving are the letters they get back from the soldiers themselves.
The Buckleys will be present at Davis’ celebration selling their patriotic car magnets and providing information on how you can help.
Davis is hoping people will turn out to support the Mom who for almost 15 years now has been supporting our troops around the world with her packages filled with a taste of home. “Please take time out of your busy schedule to just stop by to say hi and leave feeling great about what some people are doing to support the men and women who support us 24/7,” Davis said.
The restaurant itself will be closed on September 24 but there will be plenty of food and soft drinks outside on the grounds. The restaurant is located at the intersection of Routes 22 and 43. Davis says you can’t miss it – the intersection has the only red light in Stephentown.
Davis has invited several other not-for-profit troop supporting and veterans organizations to participate in the celebration. They include the Mountains to Miracles Veterans Foundation, Song Writing With Soldiers, Stars For Troops and the Veterans of the Stephentown Area.
Davis says his new restaurant hours will be: Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday 12-9 pm and Sunday 12-7 pm.[/private]