By Kaitlyn Eichelberger
After 100 years of community service, VFW Post 548 members are seeking assistance from the community to repair their building and expand their outreach.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting troops and their families. It offers educational, financial and career opportunities. It aims to recognize and reward veterans for their service.
VFW Post 548 holds the same mission on a local scale. The post has welcomed Monongalia County veterans and their families with open arms for over a century.
Their services include rewarding military honors to veterans who have died, as well as marking Memorial Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Veterans Day community events, delivering Christmas gifts to veterans in nursing homes and placing flags on the graves of thousands of veterans in more than 20 cemeteries. The post is nonprofit and volunteer-run.
“We assist on a case-by-case basis,” said Post Commander Jeremy Allio. “We receive requests from veterans in the community and we work to try and use our resources to assist folks in need.”
Since 2013, the post has tried to sell the building, relocate and downsize. This has led to misconceptions about the post no longer being active — Post Quartermaster Jonathan Friend said this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“We did close the bar within our post,” said Friend. “But the building has continued to be a meeting place for VFW meetings and event organization.”
The current building was built in 1960 and has begun to show its age. Damage to the roof has led to water leaks and the electrical system is in need of repairs. The post is seeking community assistance in the form of money, material or labor donations.
“If any businesses would be willing to assist in donating either time or would mind assisting however they could,” said Friend. “Any help would be beneficial.”
The post’s fundraising goal is $150,000. Completing the needed repairs would not only create a better environment for veterans to gather but would also allow them to expand their operations.
“The only way for us to grow as a VFW is to gain some more membership from younger veterans,” said Friend. “If we have a better place for everyone to meet and coordinate, we can expand our membership and expand our services to the community.”
To make donations, contact the post at vfw548@gmail.com.
VFW Post 548 is always welcoming new members. To join, email the post at vfw548@gmail.com.
VFW Post 548 is at 494 Spruce St., Morgantown.
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