FFA Members Serve Veterans
A chance encounter at a national memorial launched a California chapter’s decade-long service project that honors veterans.
In 2016 several members of the Los Banos FFA Chapter traveled to Washington, D.C., for a leadership event and tour of the capital. On a visit to the United States Navy Memorial, the group happened to encounter veterans on an Honor Flight, which arranges trips for veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam to visit the nation’s memorials in Washington.
The high school students and the elderly veterans began talking, and soon most everyone was in tears. “The veterans were already emotional by being at the memorial, but then you add the fact these young people were taking an interest in them, asking them questions and thanking them for their service,” says FFA advisor Jason Bretz. “Our kids were moved because the veterans were so emotional.”
Bretz says the Los Banos group got back on their tour bus and the adult chaperones all had the same thought. “We said we had to do something to help these Honor Flights so veterans can visit their memorials.” As a nonprofit, the Honor Flight Network relies on donations to fund the trips for veterans, who travel free of charge.
Joining Forces
The Los Banos FFA Chapter, the Los Banos Ag Boosters and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2487 combined forces the following spring to sponsor a drive-through pasta dinner. “We had a goal that first year of raising $20,000 and we did that pretty handily,” Bretz says. They’ve continued the annual dinners ever since except for one pandemic year, typically serving 1,700–2,000 meals in a three-hour event.
In the past three years, $30,000 has been donated annually to Honor Flight Network and the chapter has expanded its outreach to Blue Star Mothers, an organization that supports the mothers of active-duty service members. Prior to the 2026 event, organizers had raised a remarkable $180,000 for Honor Flights and donated $10,000 to Blue Star Mothers.
Bretz says Los Banos FFA members get a first-hand opportunity to talk with people who lived history. “It’s a generation of students who are so far removed from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and realize what these veterans actually did and that many of them weren’t welcomed home,” Bretz says. “It gives our kids a sense of pride and happiness to do something for them, even if it’s 60 or 70 years later.”
He says the chapter and advisors ponder continuing the dinners each year. “We’ve asked ourselves how long we can keep doing this, and the answer is until it’s not profitable or until the last veteran gets on that flight and gets a chance to go to D.C.,” Bretz says. “The veterans truly deserve the opportunity, and any little thing we can do to help them get that chance, we are going to do it.”
Your Turn to Serve
The National FFA Organization embraces the idea of building stronger communities. The last line of the FFA motto, “Live to Serve,” signifies the vital role service plays in our organization. Learn more about our organization’s commitment to empowering every student in every classroom to make a positive impact in their community.
