North Carolina Post hosts 750 soldiers: service members and their families from Ft. Bragg, N.C., enjoyed a day of games, music and food during a military appreciation picnic hosted by Post 9103 in Spring Lake; N.C

The event--held May 17--included face painting, a dunking booth, miniature golf and a giant Scooby Doo inflatable funhouse. Patriotic, country and rock tunes were provided by the Station Street and Dead by Dawn bands.

Post members also arranged to have the "Smoke Escape House" on display, which was operated by the fire department from Ft. Bragg.

Quartermaster Manuel Enos said community business owners donated cash and items to the event. Cash prizes were awarded every hour on the hour, he said.

Additionally, the Ladies Auxiliary gave away a three-day vacation package to a soldier and his wife.

"It was really something the way everyone kicked in for this event" Enos said. "We had about $2,000 in food items alone donated." In typical picnic fashion, hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings were served to the 750 plus in attendance. Activities were located at VFW's Post home.

The event was funded in part by a matching grant from VFW's Military Assistance Program (MAP) and the Department of North Carolina. MAP has special funds set aside to match a Department's expenses for such an event, up to $2,000.