VFW halls conjure images of old guys sitting at a smoky bar drinking beer talking about the old days.
Not true, according to members of the North Oakland Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 334. They have young members of both genders and are looking to recruit more this spring.
They’re also out in the community with programs like Buddy Poppy, which has raised thousands of dollars to fund programs to help veterans. The program is currently underway for another season.
Post 334, which began in 1984, has around 65 members, most of who live in the Lake Orion/Oxford area.
To attract young veterans, the post will pay the first year’s membership fee of $22. Men and women veterans living in North Oakland County who have served overseas in any war or conflict are welcome to join.
‘We’re looking for any veteran of any age,? said Ernie Baker, who served in World War II. ‘We’d like to get more of the young men and women. They’re the future.?
The post is active in many ways, including helping with veterans? funeral costs, hearing aides and helping scout troops gather packages to send to current service-members overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq.
According to post member Jim Trumble, it’s hard for some veterans to find help, especially when it comes to negotiating benefits. This is where the VFW steps in.
‘We are an advocate for their services,? Trumble said. ‘Years later, it’s hard to get benefits.?
The post also helps aid disabled veterans through their various programs. Members of the post say joining up is a great way to help fellow soldiers while continuing their service.
‘There’s the gratification of remaining a patriot to our country,? said Joe Mastromatteo, a member of the post who also heads up the Orion Veterans Memorial.
The post meets the second Thursday of each month in the Club Room in the lower lever of the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 1400 Orion Road in Lake Orion. There is a new Web site veterans can check to see if they are eligible to join, www.jointheelite.org. Many of the post’s members served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq or Afghanistan.
The VFW Membership Department has also launched a new Web site for women vets through the She Serves campaign, www.joinsheserves.org.
For more information about post 334, veterans can call Ernie Baker at 248-391-6933.