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Residents gather for election watch party at a veterans’ center in Kentwood

WGVU Photo

The group of veterans and residents watch televised election coverage together

Food and fellowship with fellow veterans is the most important part of Election Day according to Reginald Howard, founder of Hero’s Corner, a drop-in community center focused on helping veterans.

“We have a lot of veterans that live by themselves and that isolate. For them to be surrounded by other veterans and to be able to talk and express and even to be able to have the camaraderie and enjoy the night.”

All are welcome from the community, veteran or not, and regardless of how each voted, the group watches televised election coverage together, joking and commiserating as early results come in. Howard says its just about sharing the experience.

“So whatever we have to do to support our veterans, that’s what we have to do. If we save one life tonight we don’t have to worry about that veteran not waking up tomorrow.”