BUTLER TWP — Hundreds of veterans of the Vietnam War gathered this morning to enjoy a pancake breakfast hosted by the American Legion Post 778.

The event was hosted by VA Butler Healthcare to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war, according to Amanda Kurtz, public affairs officer of VA Butler Healthcare.

Lawrence T. Deas, a veteran, traveled from Sharon, Pa. for the breakfast. At 67 years old, Deas can still joke that his initials have a specific meaning: Little, Tough and Dangerous.

“(Vietnam) was so darn nice, I had to go back twice,” Deas said, speaking of his two tours in Vietnam.

Students in the JROTC program at the Butler School District volunteered their time to help serve the veterans and talk with them as well.

Kasea Losch, a junior at Butler High School, received a challenge coin from John Yeager, 68, of Mars. The challenge coin is a representation of Yeager’s service organization, and coins can be given out a tokens of appreciation, Kasea said.

Kasea told Yeager that she hopes to attend the United States Naval Academy after high school.

The event served Butler, Armstrong, Clarion, Lawrence and Mercer counties, with more than 300 veterans expected.

Kurtz said that VA Butler Healthcare serves about 19,000 veterans, with half of them having served in the Vietnam War.