Warsaw American Legion Post Seeks Donations For Building Repair
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Words like "honor," "duty," "freedom" and "democracy" pepper their speech.
The American Legion members of Post 49 in Warsaw are cautious with their speech altogether.
They are reluctant to ask for help, except that they need it, just to take care of things that must be done.
Their post home, the building at the corner of Fort Wayne and North Buffalo streets, was built in the 1930s.
The structure needs repairs to the roof, upgrades to the furnace and air conditioning, some electrical work - and the upstairs bathroom should be made handicapped accessible.
Oh, and the single-pane, second-story windows need to be replaced.
"If 150 people would donate $1,000 we'd have it all done," said Bob Murphy, a long-time Legion member.
The building's problems surfaced three years ago and Murphy, owner of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, who has secured and administered a great many grants for nonprofit organizations like the Legion, has scoured all of his sources looking for funding.
It's not to be had.
And the local post doesn't have the money.
"There's no way the club can afford to do it," said Norm Hubler, past commander and trustee.
Of the $20 in annual fees the local club retains $4.50. The state gets $6.50 and the national headquarters in Indianapolis takes $9.
Post 49 has 969 members. Of that number the club pays dues of 152 - for men and women 51 years old or older and those of the 10 to 12 honorary life members.
To raise funds the Legion sponsors bingo games, pork chop dinners and a fish fry.
The upstairs banquet hall is available for rent.
Military details attend the funerals of veterans, whether or not they're a Legion member, and receive donations from the funeral home in charge.
So far this year Post 49 laid 52 veterans to rest, attending eight gravesites in November alone.
They provide units in local parades and hold Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor day programs.
The post sponsors two to three needy families at Christmastime, provides wheelchairs, walkers, any medical equipment they have available and offers volunteer drivers to Veterans Administration Hospitals.
They provide drivers for the Cancer Society and open their doors in February for the Heart Month Red Cross' blood collection.
If any group or school needs a speaker on patriotism, democracy or one of the United States' military engagements, they're available.
Each summer 10 local boys are sent to Boys State at a cost of $300 each.
The Elks prepare their annual Thanksgiving dinner in the Legion's kitchen and serve it in Center Lake Pavilion.
The Legion sponsors an oratorical program and the local winner receives $500. The program has district, state and national levels. Local attorney Mike Valentine was the last state winner from Warsaw.
They sponsor a Little League team and a Cub Scout troop.
It's not unusual for the building's electrical bills to reach $3,000 during the cold season.
"About 130 members are active and patronize the place," said club manager Mike Davis, who is also the post's adjutant.
The club serves lunch for $3.50 each day and a dinner on Fridays and two Saturdays each month for a little more. Alcoholic drinks aren't as expensive as in public clubs but food and drink sales support the restaurant and bar.
Building committee member and past commander Bob Lichtenwalter is 75 and a veteran of The Last Great War - one of the last active World War II vets.
"We're losing 1,000 World War II veterans a day in this country," Lichtenwalter said. He's attended the funerals of many comrades and keeps in touch with most of the others.
What Hubler would like is for more men in his age group to join the Legion. Members are usually added when a member meets another vet. The member extends an invitation and an application.
A Vietnam-era veteran, Hubler knows there are problems.
The men and women who served in Vietnam are about 50 to 55 years old, have raised their children and may now have a little leisure time - time they could spend at the Legion and in supporting its programs.
"Their mentality is that they're not welcome," Hubler said. "Some won't admit they're a veteran."
"The kids in the service today are following orders in the war on terrorism. Just as those in Vietnam did - followed orders.
"The Vietnam vets are the same as all others and will always be welcome in The American Legion."
Through its supporting groups, others are welcome in the Legion, too.
Sons of the Legion don't have to have served in the military as long as their father, mother or a grandparent served during the eligible dates.
The Legion's Auxiliary is open to wives, daughters, sisters or granddaughters of veterans. [[In-content Ad]]
Words like "honor," "duty," "freedom" and "democracy" pepper their speech.
The American Legion members of Post 49 in Warsaw are cautious with their speech altogether.
They are reluctant to ask for help, except that they need it, just to take care of things that must be done.
Their post home, the building at the corner of Fort Wayne and North Buffalo streets, was built in the 1930s.
The structure needs repairs to the roof, upgrades to the furnace and air conditioning, some electrical work - and the upstairs bathroom should be made handicapped accessible.
Oh, and the single-pane, second-story windows need to be replaced.
"If 150 people would donate $1,000 we'd have it all done," said Bob Murphy, a long-time Legion member.
The building's problems surfaced three years ago and Murphy, owner of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, who has secured and administered a great many grants for nonprofit organizations like the Legion, has scoured all of his sources looking for funding.
It's not to be had.
And the local post doesn't have the money.
"There's no way the club can afford to do it," said Norm Hubler, past commander and trustee.
Of the $20 in annual fees the local club retains $4.50. The state gets $6.50 and the national headquarters in Indianapolis takes $9.
Post 49 has 969 members. Of that number the club pays dues of 152 - for men and women 51 years old or older and those of the 10 to 12 honorary life members.
To raise funds the Legion sponsors bingo games, pork chop dinners and a fish fry.
The upstairs banquet hall is available for rent.
Military details attend the funerals of veterans, whether or not they're a Legion member, and receive donations from the funeral home in charge.
So far this year Post 49 laid 52 veterans to rest, attending eight gravesites in November alone.
They provide units in local parades and hold Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor day programs.
The post sponsors two to three needy families at Christmastime, provides wheelchairs, walkers, any medical equipment they have available and offers volunteer drivers to Veterans Administration Hospitals.
They provide drivers for the Cancer Society and open their doors in February for the Heart Month Red Cross' blood collection.
If any group or school needs a speaker on patriotism, democracy or one of the United States' military engagements, they're available.
Each summer 10 local boys are sent to Boys State at a cost of $300 each.
The Elks prepare their annual Thanksgiving dinner in the Legion's kitchen and serve it in Center Lake Pavilion.
The Legion sponsors an oratorical program and the local winner receives $500. The program has district, state and national levels. Local attorney Mike Valentine was the last state winner from Warsaw.
They sponsor a Little League team and a Cub Scout troop.
It's not unusual for the building's electrical bills to reach $3,000 during the cold season.
"About 130 members are active and patronize the place," said club manager Mike Davis, who is also the post's adjutant.
The club serves lunch for $3.50 each day and a dinner on Fridays and two Saturdays each month for a little more. Alcoholic drinks aren't as expensive as in public clubs but food and drink sales support the restaurant and bar.
Building committee member and past commander Bob Lichtenwalter is 75 and a veteran of The Last Great War - one of the last active World War II vets.
"We're losing 1,000 World War II veterans a day in this country," Lichtenwalter said. He's attended the funerals of many comrades and keeps in touch with most of the others.
What Hubler would like is for more men in his age group to join the Legion. Members are usually added when a member meets another vet. The member extends an invitation and an application.
A Vietnam-era veteran, Hubler knows there are problems.
The men and women who served in Vietnam are about 50 to 55 years old, have raised their children and may now have a little leisure time - time they could spend at the Legion and in supporting its programs.
"Their mentality is that they're not welcome," Hubler said. "Some won't admit they're a veteran."
"The kids in the service today are following orders in the war on terrorism. Just as those in Vietnam did - followed orders.
"The Vietnam vets are the same as all others and will always be welcome in The American Legion."
Through its supporting groups, others are welcome in the Legion, too.
Sons of the Legion don't have to have served in the military as long as their father, mother or a grandparent served during the eligible dates.
The Legion's Auxiliary is open to wives, daughters, sisters or granddaughters of veterans. [[In-content Ad]]