Once a month, a group of men, 82 and older, meet as the "WWII Vets" at a golf course in Provo. This Saturday, they will meet at a local grocery store.

Macey's invites community members to gather Saturday to meet World War II veterans Arden Hutchings, Melvin Lemon, Wally Norton, Ken Porter, Ray Matheny and Korean War veteran Curtis Francom from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Provo location.

Community members can meet people like Wally Norton who was an army paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division for World War II. Norton went to war at age 18. He was in Japan as the bomb dropped in Hiroshima and also experienced the loss of his best friend. His current trial, he said, is living through the memories of the war.

"When I came home it was quite a shock, nothing was the same," Norton said. Bonnee Byrne, Macey's special events coordinator, said she's excited for the community to honor these men.

"It has always been important to Macey's to foster patriotism as is demonstrated by the fact that every Macey's store can be easily located by the beautiful, huge flags that are proudly flown in our parking lots," said Byrne in an email. "We truly hope that the community of Provo will help us to honor these World War II veterans. Our hope is that the veterans will be overwhelmed by the response of the people."

With ten locations only in Utah, Macey's tailors events to fit the community. Celebrating holidays and events is a unique experience at each location. In Provo, the store encourages community members to write thank you letters. Children can submit artwork to give to the veterans.

Steve Bitter, a Macey's manager, thought it would be a great idea to honor veterans for Armed Forces Day.

"We're family friendly and community oriented," Bitter said.

Jim Baer, a friend of Bitter, is associated with veterans in the Provo area and helped set up this event as well.

"This is the first time this has been done," Baer said. "It's an opportunity for us to honor them."

In addition to the activities from 10a.m. -2p.m. on May 17thon Saturday, Macey's will host a Savory Selections meal sampling with a World War II menu from 3 to 5 p.m. in the meat department. This will include Apple Brown Betty, Sausage Stovies, honey cakes and spam (or other lunch meat) & egg sandwiches.

"World War II housewives had to be creative about their cooking because of the food rationing during thewar," Byrne said in an email. "I'm sure the menu will spark some nostalgia amongst our more elderly guests."

Macey's will host other patriotic events later this month. The Provo location will host a Memorial Day breakfast from 8 to 10a.m. May 24th with a flag ceremony and a BBQ later that day.

Patriotic Events coming up at Macey's

Armed Forces Day Celebration: Saturday, May 17th

Memorial Day breakfast: Saturday May 24th

Freedom Festival Flag Retirement Ceremony: Saturday June 14th

Independence Day Activities: July 3rd and 4th