VFW post members divided on future of building

[unhappycamper]

Jim Busa (left) and Roger Gaudet Jr. left the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1272 in Belmont. Gaudet, the post's commander, thinks he can raise the money to keep the building open. (MARK WILSON/GLOBE STAFF)


VFW post members divided on future of building
By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff | August 12, 2007

Membership has dwindled to about 25, and funds have nearly dried up at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1272 in Belmont. And the future is unclear for the building where for more than 80 years men and women have shared stories of their military service.

Half the members say that they cannot raise the money needed to operate the post and that the town should step in and take ownership.

They point to hundreds of dollars in unpaid utility bills, annual operating expenses of about $30,000, and much-needed repairs that could cost as much as $150,000.

"Realistically, I don't think we can afford to keep it running anymore," David Frizzell, a member since 1963, said yesterday in a telephone interview.

The other members say they aren't ready to give up. They say the post, which has operated for 83 years, should remain in the members' hands.

"We believe that we can do it, we can raise the money we need through rentals and with some help from the community," said Roger Gaudet Jr., the post's commander, sitting yesterday in the basement of the building at 310 Trapelo Road.


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uhc comment: Looks like one more war loving group is leaving the scene.

[jedr]

1. No regrets here;

the reason they don't have membership is because they treated the Vietnam Vets' like shit and have backed this A-hole with back to back deployments and cutting of benefits. The only real loser here is the town drunk who sits at the end of the bar with his American flag hat. He may have to use more of his welfare check at an other bar. ( as you can tell I have bad feelings for the VFW ):grr: