VFW post experiencing rebirth
Published 9:18 pm Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Pictured from left are Past National Commander-in-Chief John Smart, Post 2582 Quartermaster Ken Wiseman, Post 2582 Commander Bob Grady and Virginia State Commander Chris Birch. Grady and Wiseman were presented white hats to recognize the post being named an All-State post for the 2013-14 year at the state convention in Williamsburg. (Submitted Photo)
VFW Post 2582 almost needed another vehicle to bring back all the awards it won at a recent state convention, post Quartermaster Ken Wiseman said.
“It was a banner year for us,” Wiseman said.
The post has been experiencing what Wiseman calls its “second re-birth,” the first of which happened when veterans returned home from World War II.
Average attendance at the monthly meetings has more than doubled, Wiseman said. Many younger veterans have joined, himself included. The post had the largest percentage increase in membership out of the 141 posts in Virginia, a 208 percent jump. It renewed all of its annual members from last year.
“We want it to be kind of a new start,” Wiseman said.
The post won an award for the best community service record book, individual awards for recruiting, the All-State and All-American awards — its first in 76 years — and Wiseman was named the best post quartermaster in the state.
Only six posts in Virginia were awarded the All-State award, and only 250 of the 2,800 in the nation won the All-American award.
The post’s next challenge is to raise money for a dedicated memorial to Vietnam veterans at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. An individual memorial to the war does not exist in Suffolk, Wiseman said.
“Our goal is $2,000,” Wiseman said, noting that memorials for other wars also are possible at Horton. “If funding is going well, we’ll keep going as long as the money keep coming in.”
