El Paso County honors Veterans Breakfast Club founder and host restaurant for veteran outreach

El Paso County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday adopted resolutions recognizing the founder of a west‑side Veterans Breakfast Club and the La Havana Bar & Grill, which hosts the monthly gatherings.

Commissioner Coronado presented the resolution to Ron Baker, who described creating the breakfasts after hearing west‑side veterans felt neglected. Baker said volunteers and partner organizations have helped veterans with benefits, home visits and information about VA and community resources; he credited volunteers, local businesses and veteran advocates for the program’s quick growth.

"It started last year and it's been very, very well attended every single time," Baker said, and added the work includes assisting veterans with paperwork and, in one case, helping secure a mortgage‑free custom adapted home for a severely injured staff sergeant.

Rick Ortega, owner of La Havana Bar & Grill, accepted a parallel resolution honoring his restaurant for opening its doors to the club. Ortega said veterans value the time and conversation the breakfasts offer, not just the meal: “They like time. That’s one thing that they’ve given us,” he said.

County leaders thanked Baker, volunteers and local partners for building a program that organizers said regularly attracts dozens of veterans, improves information flow on benefits and fosters social connection.

What’s next: Commissioners encouraged continued partnership with local restaurants, volunteers and county staff to sustain and expand outreach; court signed the resolutions and invited participants to take a photo with the bench following the meeting.

Quotation: "We wanted to make sure that we actually are providing help, assistance to our veterans in need," Commissioner Coronado said as he praised the volunteer network.