Since its start five years ago, attendance at the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department’s Veterans Breakfast has grown steadily — from 40 in its first year to 129 last year.

Deputy Chief Wes Hux said Tuesday that the fire department is hoping to see 150 veterans attend Friday’s event, which begins at 8 a.m. at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center.

“I think it speaks highly of the event,” Hux said. “The feedback I get is that everybody says it’s a good event and I think all the veterans enjoy it. That’s what it’s all about. I think they enjoy getting together and talking.”

Hux noted that 107 veterans have already RSVP'd. “I don’t think we had that many last year who had already called by this time.”

Every veteran who attends will receive a T-shirt and a door prize, with the prizes ranging in value from $20 to $25. “Everybody’s going to win something,” he said.

Hux mentioned that they have changed the format for the prize giveaways slightly this year. There will be roughly 10 to 15 major drawings, with the grand prize being $1,000 in cash donated by GW Hux and Company Insurance. Other prizes include tickets for the Weldon Mills Theatre, a custom fire pit made by Clements Mechanical, and several items from the Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center and the local Lowe’s store.

The introductory program begins at 8 a.m., featuring the posting of colors by the Roanoke Rapids High School JROTC and brief remarks from city leadership. Jason Yeatts, the RRFD chaplain, will give the invocation. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.

Hux said the fire department is appreciative of all the volunteers who support the event. “Like I said, we're hoping to serve 150, and we served 129 last year. Cooking for over 100 people is not a small task. A whole lot of eggs were cracked, and a whole lot of batter was whipped up for pancakes. It takes a lot of people to do that, from the check-in to the handouts.”

Chief Richard Cook added, “I think it’s a good event. Chief Jason Patrick came up with this. The idea was to give something back to the veterans, and I 100 percent agree with it.”

Cook said he intends to keep the tradition going. “I fully intended when I took over to keep it going, and I plan to keep it going as long as I’m in the position. I hope to help out beyond that.”

This year’s T-shirts will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and 250 years of freedom. Hux said the theme was chosen “because of the guys like the ones we're cooking breakfast for.”