They often say that the third time is a charm and it became true when area veterans established a beachhead at Ole Times Country Buffet in Macon. The first two attempts were thwarted by mechanical malfunctions and ill-fated communications by their commanding “officers,” but the veterans rolled into Macon and claimed victory on Sept. 12. Veterans from the Georgia War Veterans Home from Milledgeville vectored westbound in their covered troop vehicle toward the not-so-secret rendezvous point as the Elks headed southbound. The allies combined forces as the Elks arrived in their “armor-all’ed” vehicles (equipped with Bluetooth and A/C) and the “rolling thunder” veterans assumed the point position for the mission. Local Elks of Lodge No. 2849 took direct orders to pilfer and procure rations from an abundant buffet, no entree was left behind. Empty trays rattled and were constantly refilled as the war against perceived starvation raged on. The final outcry came as one observant veteran noticed the pristine display of cakes, pies, cookies and puddings. What started as a rumble and soon culminated in an all-out battle cry; the veterans held their dessert plates high and proclaimed: “Remember the Alamode!”