Vietnam vets' annual steak feed draws crowd in Hurley

By P.J. GLISSON

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Hurley - The 33rd annual Steak Feed for Chapter 529 of the Vietnam Veterans of America filled the Iron County Memorial Building Saturday night.

The fundraiser for the Gogebic-Iron Range group included a full dinner, along with a performance by Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps of Bessemer and additional live music by the Madd Trappers, a Hurley band.

Door prizes and a raffle featuring a 65-inch smart TV also were part of the fun.

People also had the option to buy raw steaks.

At the start of the event, organizer Arvid Sivula said that 200 people are needed just to break even. "If we get 300, we consider it a good year," he said, but 400 tickets are available.

Sivula said the chapter has been slowly losing its aging members, but associate members also are encouraged to join.

"We have a lot of associate members," said Sivula. "Thank God we have them. We wouldn't be able to put on the steak feed without them."

He added that at least 20 people were working hard to keep the event going by selling tickets at the entry, manning the raffle table, serving food and beverages, processing food in the kitchen - with Sivula's wife, Karol, in charge - and grilling steaks outside.

"Nobody gets paid," said Sivula.

According to him, full membership in Chapter 529 does not require someone to have served in Vietnam. Rather, the chapter welcomes anyone from any branch of the U.S. Service who served between the early 1960s to the mid-1970s.

Associate members have no limitations and include many of the members' spouses or friends.

Sivula expects this year's steak feed proceeds to be used for the chapter's usual causes, which include $500 scholarships for graduating high school seniors in Hurley, Mercer and Ironwood schools, and for an annual Christmas party wherein kids get to visit with Santa and receive treats and gifts. Chapter members also participate in local parades.