Buffalo Grove Rotarians honor veterans with dinner

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Walter Rodgers and his daughter, Sky Rodgers, take part in a complimentary dinner hosted Tuesday by the Buffalo Grove Rotary and the Continental Restaurant. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:06AM

For a businessman, a cop and a handful of volunteers, the wives had to wait on Valentine’s Day — this group would honor someone else first.

The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove, with help from Police Chief Steve Balinski and Pete Panayiotou, owner of the Continental Restaurant, assembled a massive meal and entertainment on Tuesday, offering a thank-you dinner for a group of local military veterans who have returned from overseas. Working through the Army base in Arlington Heights and Naval Station Great Lakes, the organizers reached about 25 soldiers and sailors who had served in Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Okinawa and Afghanistan.

“We’re going to have a nice prime rib dinner, on the house,” Panayiotou said that night.

On several houses, actually. Panayiotou was quick to point out the number of food suppliers and other vendors who made the event possible. The steaks came from Sysco, US Foods and Gordon Food Service, Garden Fresh Market provided the potatoes, salads and other veggies and the dinner finished with cheesecakes from Concept Food Brokers. The evening included dancing for the veterans and their families, a total crowd of about 65, thanks to a disc jockey provided by Personalities, Inc.

“I’m making two soups, that’s it,” Panayiotou said before the event began. “It’s amazing how things come together, when you try to do something nice.”

The Continental has tried for about six years now, Panayiotou said. Every Christmas, they make a nice meal for local police officers, soldiers or other public servants. Panayiotou said he spoke with Balinski about that effort, and Balinski suggested they bring in other resources and create a bigger event for veterans on Valentine’s Day. They got the Rotarians involved, and the idea took off.

“It went extremely well,” Balinski said following the event. “I judge that from the number of thank-yous the soldiers gave to everyone involved. They were honored.”

Balinski and Bill Balling, Rotary Club president, tossed the credit back to Panayiotou.

“The applause goes to Pete,” Balling said.

“This is all about Pete’s heart of gold,” Balinski added.

“The only thing I’m doing, I cook and I serve,” Panayiotou said. “Without them, I don’t know how to do anything.”

But as he saw his preparations come together Tuesday night, he saw that what they had done was really something.

“This is beautiful,” he said.

And time-consuming. On a night of importance for anyone with a significant other. Panayiotou noted both he and Balinski had made re-arrangements with their wives for Valentine’s Day. They were glad to accommodate.

“Steve took his wife out last night. Me, I’ll take my wife out tomorrow night,” Panayiotou said.