Down with the old and tattered and up with the new and glorious as VFW Post 5064 changed out its flags last week. Fundraisers are under way to continue improvements.
“We usually change the flags about once a year,” said VFW quartermaster Jerry Lyle. “At that point, they become tattered. These wore out a little early. It was only about nine months or so. The new ones should last a year.”
The new flags cost approximately $60 each and all eight on the front of the building were replaced. The old flags will be disposed of properly.
Caney Fork Electric provided the bucket truck to make the exchange possible.
“They actually volunteered the use of their truck,” said Lyle. “They provided it for us graciously and at no cost. We really appreciate it.”
Changing the flags is the first of upcoming renovations to the VFW building, including work done to the flag poles and painting the building. Lyle, who is also chairman of the building committee, says their fundraising efforts include advertising for local businesses.
“We are in the process of raising funds to upgrade the building. We have several things we are doing. One is we have a closed-circuit television inside. When we get a donation from a business, we put whatever message or logo they want us to put on there. It’s our way of giving back to those who support veterans.”
All donations are accepted. A donation of at least $150 is required to get space on the TV.
“If we receive a donation of at least $150, we will include your ad and keep it up all year long,” said Lyle. “We do that because their donation goes to helping veterans. To me, the most important thing we can do for veterans is to provide them a place to come and get information on their benefits and help for their families.”
VFW Post 5064 offers that place in Warren County. Veterans who are members of the post help themselves by paying dues but it is not enough to cover all of what the VFW provides in services, says Lyle.
“Dues the veterans pay wouldn’t turn on the lights for us,” he said. “We have to raise money in order to continue providing assistance to veterans and allow us to give back to the community.”
VFW promotes positive awareness of the VFW by community involvement with annual college scholarship contests and offering various programs.
“We recently finished our Christmas fruit baskets,” said Lyle. “We offer them to senior citizens every year. We do that in Warren County and Van Buren County.”
To learn more about the services offered by VFW, or to make a donation, call 668-8392.