“We are grateful for many others for their generosity toward making this opportunity a reality,” said Tony Markin, commander for the local branch of the DAV. “It is community spirit like this that makes it possible for both our service organizations to be able to continue to help those in need.”
The previous office used by the groups on North Main Street was about 3,000 square feet and had little parking available, Markin said. The new facility is about 10,800 square feet, is handicap accessible and has a large parking lot. There is enough room for office space for a veterans service officer to meet with local veterans who need assistance, as well as meeting and rental space. The two organizations have been setting aside money for the move and paid about $165,000 to JB Ventures for the property.
The move is a risk, but both organizations have been gaining new members and it will be beneficial for the next generation of veterans, Bennett said. There are about 240 regular members of the VFW and 147 in the DAV.
“It’s scary but we’ll make it work,” he said.
No specific construction schedule has been set, but plans for the facility include a fully equipped kitchen, restrooms, a conference center and a banquet hall that could be rented to host weddings, family reunions and other public events. They also plan to create a memory garden outside the facility to allow community members to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans. The building will likely be named for a local veteran.
To help cover the cost of the renovations, the two groups will likely begin a fundraising campaign, seeking assistance from corporate sponsors, community organizations and area residents.
While they will share the facility, both organizations will remain separate. The purpose of both groups is to help local veterans, their families and their survivors who are in need. Combined, they have distributed more than $175,000 in local money to local veterans, Markin said.
“This is all for our future generations to come to,” Markin said.
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