Members of the Spokane County Cattlemen and volunteers mark the donation of 300 pounds of local beef to the Spokane Veterans Home on April 1.

SPOKANE — Members of the Spokane County Cattlemen on Monday delivered 300 pounds of ground beef to the local veterans home.

“These people have taken care of us over the years — the least we can do is take care of them,” said Jim Wentland, president of the cattlemen.

The group has about 60 members, about half of whom are active ranchers.

It’s the fourth year the group has donated to the veterans home, Wentland said.

Neal Salemi, dietary manager at the veterans home, said the ground beef will be used for special events, grilling burgers during the summer.

He said residents request more healthful and local menu items each year.

“None of this works without them,” Salemi said of farmers and ranchers.

Ranchers were just as quick to return the compliment.

Russ Emtman, owner of Emtman’s Triple E Angus Ranch in Valleyford, Wash., raised the beef that was donated.

“It’s just a small contribution we can do for veterans who have put everything on the line for us,” Emtman said. “They deserve much more, but this is just a small token of appreciation of what they did for us. It really means a lot to me to do this.”

https://www.dva.wa.gov/veterans-their-families/veterans-homes/spokane-veterans-home

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