WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) - The Veterans Service Commission of Auglaize County treated those who served to a free quality meal on Sunday.

The VFW Post 9142 was making stops at different nursing homes to drop off presents, one of the stops being the Meadows of Ottawa Senior Living Center. Each veteran received a hat and a lap blanket to use. The veterans appreciated that the VFW stopped by to honor their service and think about them around the holidays.

Local veterans and residents paid respect to the men and women who died in the service of their country.

Veterans at the Meadows of Ottawa senior living center received Christmas gifts from the VFW Post 9142. Each veteran received a lumbar pillow for them to use. The Meadows at Ottawa was just one of five stops in Putnam County the VFW makes, and they have been thanking veterans with a Christmas present for nearly 15 years now.

Over at the Lima Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275, veterans were getting pampered as the Lima Medical Massage Center was offering free 5-minute chair massages. They wanted to let veterans know that if approved by your VA doctor, Veteran’s Affairs will cover 12 massage appointments with them.

The lives of all American military men and women lost in the line of duty were honored on Monday at the annual Allen County Veterans Council Memorial Day service. The ceremony began with a march led by local Boy Scouts to the flagpole in Lima's Town Square. The American flag was raised from half to full staff, followed by the playing of Taps. Participants then marched back to VFW Post 1275 where community members laid wreaths on an unmarked grave for lost loved ones. Steve Montgomery, an Allen County Veterans Council board member says while this day is to pay tribute to lives taken in war, it is also important to continuously remind the public why it's done.

Continuing with the day of remembrance, the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1275 held a wreath laying Monday afternoon. Over a dozen wreaths were laid on a mock tomb by various veteran organizations. Mike Melvin of Honor Flight out of Findlay was the guest speaker. He said today is a way to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Melvin wanted to inform and encourage those veterans in Lima to take an honor flight if they served before 1975. Proclamations were also given by Mayor David Berger and the Allen County Commissioners.

It’s all about the Christmas spirit. That’s why two of the founders the Lima Community Christmas dinner continue to put it on each year.

The Ottawa VFW Post spent a day spreading Christmas cheer to veterans all around Putnam County.