AUBURN - Pasta and music were the tools used to give thanks to the men and women of the Army National Guard in Auburn Saturday.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1975 hosted a spaghetti dinner for troops.

Barbara Griffin, who helped plan the event, said the purpose of the dinner was to show support for the Guard, and to thank the troops for serving the country.

"The idea just kind of popped into our heads," Griffin said. "It's fun, it's spaghetti, and it's easy."

Griffin said the event took a lot of planning and coordinating with the local guard.

"We went back and forth between the National Guard to get people to come, and to help plan the meal," Griffin said, which was free for guard soldiers and their families.

Although Auburn is smaller compared with other National Guard communities, Griffin said, it's still important to thank the soldiers working here.

Spc. Barton J. Chapman came out to the VFW to eat dinner with his family and said he was pleased to have an event like this in his honor.

"It shows support for soldiers and it makes us feel good," Chapman said. "We feel good about the jobs we do, and we all want support. A lot of decisions are made from our president, and whether we think it's the right or wrong decision, we do what we're supposed to do. We know we've got support there."

As for the dinner itself, Chapman had no complaints.

"It's good food and I'm glad to eat it," he said.

Teresa Girvin from Port Byron attended the dinner with her children to mingle with friends and enjoy the homemade pasta. Girvin's husband is a sergeant in the Auburn National Guard, and said she has attended other events similar to this.

"It's good for them to have events like this," Girvin said. "Families come together and it's easier to have support for one another."

Girvin, however, said she was disappointed with the relatively low turnout.

"I'd like them to have more events like this in the future if more people are willing to come," she said.

"Not many families turned out and this should be a group effort. We're here to support each other."

Griffin agreed support is what keeps the organization together.

"I think it's important to recognize the soldiers because these men go off and do their jobs, and we've had our husbands go away and we know how it feels," she said. "Some women want help with grocery shopping, and some need people to watch their children for day care. This is what we're here for."

Griffin said the next big planned event will celebrate other veterans of war. An event for Loyalty Day, on May 1, will honor Vietnam War veterans.

It will take place outside the VFW building and will include flag changing and presentation of certificates to veterans.