The construction of a new building will soon complete, so even though everything was lost to a fire on Thanksgiving Day 2019, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 438 in Red Level will be back bigger and better.
Despite construction being ongoing on the site since January 2021 there have been many setbacks for the Veterans of Foreign Wars only located in Covington County.
“Our old building was destroyed and all our memorabilia were lost. Before the final contractor could build the building, we had to resolve insurance issues and other problems. It took some time to put all the pieces together. People ask me to show them new memorabilia, hopefully by March.” Post Commander Tom Stephens stated.
The VFW is a non-smoking organization that takes pride in providing assistance for veterans and their families.
We help people with disabilities who are applying for approval. We will help a family that is in dire need. We had Opp families that had just lost a loved one at Christmas. My auxiliary would prepare all kinds of Christmas meals for them and then deliver them. We are here to serve the public and have participated in many events with the Covington Veterans Foundation, who has been very kind to us. We helped veterans find their names when the Vietnam Wall arrived in Andalusia last year.
Stephens claims that the VFW was founded with $114,000 worth of insurance funds. The public is invited to donate funds towards the $25,000 remaining.
COVID was a severe blow to our business. We have been charged more for materials than we anticipated. Members and others have visited our progress. Any veteran who served overseas in one of the wars the United States was involved in is welcome to join us. We have many state and national resources, and representatives who lobby our senators. The VFW supports these veterans and fights for them. All of us served, and we are all brothers and sister. We can help them find the right way to get help if we are aware of it.
Post 4388 currently has 151 members. I would love to see anyone who has ever served our country in active conflict become a member. He said that he would be happy to help any veteran who needs it, as we all care about helping and serving our country’s veterans.
VFW provides community outreach through annual events like turkey shoots or fish fries. It also offers scholarships programs like the Voice of Democracy or Patriot’s Pen. The cost for a turkey shoot is $6 per shot.
These events are open to all veterans. If we were all open, I’d be able to cook 11 meals per year for veterans that wouldn’t cost anything. I prepare a meal for every major holiday. He said that we also hope to have a flag burning ceremony, just like before the fire.”
Stephens said that the new building would undergo some modifications and will occupy 5,000 square footage.
We are becoming more family-oriented and will provide a changing area for parents to change their toddlers. In the future, we hope to have a playground for children and a fireworks display on Fourth of July.
Members have completed the majority of the internal construction of this new building.
“We have people who aren’t members that can help us. It has been a wonderful experience to be part of the community’s outreach. Our greatest problem is currently our finances. We are struggling month-to-month. Marvin’s hosts hamburger cookouts in order to raise funds for equipment purchase. Stephens stated that every time we receive donations, the equipment is purchased at that time.
Robert Caron, Chairman of the Planning Committee, stated that VFW will accept clothing, canned goods and toys in addition to monetary donations. The public is welcome to do anything they can to help. With the donations we receive, we can pay it forward. Each of us have different roles, and I’m also the mechanic and post-service officer. Caron stated that he offers veterans repairs and/or service with their vehicles.
VFW Post 4388 can be found at 6841 Oglesby Road, Red Level. Redlevel Vfwpost can be found on Facebook at 334-542-6013.
The post VFW Post4388 prepares for a new home after 2019 fire originally appeared on The AndalusiaStar-News.
