On Wednesday the nation celebrates Veterans Day, but for one bakery in Washington County, everyday is Veterans Day.
Some call them the "Knight's of the Roundtable," others, "The Doughnut Shop Guys," but no matter what the label, these military veterans meet for coffee and conversation every weekday morning at Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville.
"They don't even have to speak in the morning, they just walk up and we hand them what they are supposed to get," said owner Rick Boone.
The club started more than 20 years ago and has grown in members from two to more than two dozen. "It's nice camaraderie, they all have different backgrounds, they basically look after each other, we've all developed a good friendship," said Bill Currie, Air Force veteran.
Two veterans, Curtis and John, discovered you never know what you'll find out when a couple of Navy veterans exchange war stories. "He asked where did I serve and I said on the Pacific on the USS Prairie and he said so did I," said John Paxson. The conversations also extend to everyday life. "If you have to have any repair work done somebody at the table knows where to go at the cheapest price," said Currie.
One of the most interesting things about the "Doughnut Shop Guys" is the round table they have been sitting around since the beginning. It was handcrafted by the group's founding member who is now deceased. It's the only place the veterans sit and serves as a rite of passage.
"If you get your picture on here I guess you've been coming long enough to be consistent I guess," said Bob Harlan. Over the years, pictures of friends and family have also been added underneath the glass.
Each member also has a unique niche at the table. Harlan is known as the secretary, because he has the closest thing that resembles a blackberry, a sheet of paper with everyone's name, phone number and birthday.
Birthdays are important, because every time someone celebrates one, a cake is purchased for the whole table. Navy veteran Jim Setter turned 90 in October. He said he also plans to celebrate his 100th birthday at Rick's.
However, everyone agrees, none of them are bigger than the table and they urge younger veterans to continue the tradition. If you want to join the "Doughnut Shop Guys" or just stop by and say hi they typically meet on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Some call them the "Knight's of the Roundtable," others, "The Doughnut Shop Guys," but no matter what the label, these military veterans meet for coffee and conversation every weekday morning at Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville.
"They don't even have to speak in the morning, they just walk up and we hand them what they are supposed to get," said owner Rick Boone.
The club started more than 20 years ago and has grown in members from two to more than two dozen. "It's nice camaraderie, they all have different backgrounds, they basically look after each other, we've all developed a good friendship," said Bill Currie, Air Force veteran.
Two veterans, Curtis and John, discovered you never know what you'll find out when a couple of Navy veterans exchange war stories. "He asked where did I serve and I said on the Pacific on the USS Prairie and he said so did I," said John Paxson. The conversations also extend to everyday life. "If you have to have any repair work done somebody at the table knows where to go at the cheapest price," said Currie.
One of the most interesting things about the "Doughnut Shop Guys" is the round table they have been sitting around since the beginning. It was handcrafted by the group's founding member who is now deceased. It's the only place the veterans sit and serves as a rite of passage.
"If you get your picture on here I guess you've been coming long enough to be consistent I guess," said Bob Harlan. Over the years, pictures of friends and family have also been added underneath the glass.
Each member also has a unique niche at the table. Harlan is known as the secretary, because he has the closest thing that resembles a blackberry, a sheet of paper with everyone's name, phone number and birthday.
Birthdays are important, because every time someone celebrates one, a cake is purchased for the whole table. Navy veteran Jim Setter turned 90 in October. He said he also plans to celebrate his 100th birthday at Rick's.
However, everyone agrees, none of them are bigger than the table and they urge younger veterans to continue the tradition. If you want to join the "Doughnut Shop Guys" or just stop by and say hi they typically meet on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
