GRAPEVINE, TX – Senior citizens of the Grapevine area enjoyed a night of fun and special recognition by U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant on August 2 at the Grapevine Convention Center. 

The 17th annual SeniorFest event was hosted by the Women’s Division of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce.  The Women’s Division provided an "Evening in Paradise" Hawaiian luau that included a free dinner and entertainment to a crowd of over three hundred.   

Rep. Marchant provided welcoming remarks to the crowd and also recognized military veterans for their service to the country.  Marchant paid tribute to seventy-two veterans by providing each veteran with a special gift commemorating their service, and also honored select veterans (Veteran of the Year, Longest Serving Veteran, and Eldest Veteran) with United States flags flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Veterans of special recognition included: Veteran of the Year, Rodney Smith of Grapevine, Longest Serving Veterans, John Carryer of Bedford and Don Vlad of Fort Worth (each served twenty-two and a half years), and Eldest Veteran, George Lawrence of Grapevine (94 years young).                                                

“Our veterans deserve the praise and admiration of every American.  It is an honor to recognize those who have selflessly served our country,” said Marchant.

After dinner and the awards recognition, the SeniorFest crowd was entertained with a performance by the Polynesian dancers of Teriki’s Polynesia, followed by live music from the Garry Lee Band. 

The event marks the third consecutive year that Rep. Marchant’s office has participated in Grapevine SeniorFest. 

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