The Vicksburg Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), Capt. Charles Osborne Post 5189 needs “Young Guns,” according to Jim Hamrick, the organization’s quartermaster. Young Guns are eligible veterans who have served in conflict during and since the Vietnam war.
The Vicksburg post consists of only 36 members. Most of the members served prior to the Viet Nam war. The post is looking to sustain its ability to continue to provide services to local veterans and their families by attracting younger members, Hamrick pointed out.
Commander Butch Wesoloski leads the post in the primary activities of Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, funeral services, including a rifle salute for deceased veterans. The post also provides support to the VFW National Home for Children, located in Michigan.
The primary source of VFW income is the generous support of Vicksburg citizens. Their contributions to the annual Buddy Poppy drive enables the VFW post to serve local veterans in need of help. Veterans serving veterans is the goal.
The post has a short business meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., upstairs in the Vicksburg Community Center. Those young guns are encourage to attend according to Wesoloski.
The benefits of a VFW membership include making new friends who appreciate and understand the trials of military service, a chance to serve other veterans, growing community contacts (networking for civilian career),and a chance to display pride of service. The post will pay the first year dues for joining the Vicksburg chapter. It will provide half the cost of a VFW jacket for the new member, and a name tag will also be provided at no cost, the quartermaster said.
The cost of a recruit’s time can be minimal. Ceremonies usually last less than an hour. Funerals usually last less than two hours, including set up and pack up, the annual Poppy sales ask six hours of time over three days. The pride of participation extends to family and friends, and service to fellow veterans will warm a person’s heart, Hamrick and Wesoloski believe.
Anyone interested can contact: Jim Hamrick Quartermaster 649-5339 or Commander Edward (Butch) Wesoloski 496-7619. The next meeting is August 25 at Kline’s Resort for the summer celebration. Call for a reservation and share a meal, Hamrick added.