News : VFW Smith-Geater Post #8884 holds Grand Opening

V-S Students were recognized at the Grand Opening of the VFW for work that they provided to the VFW

The VFW Auxiliary organization began back in 1914, uniting Americans with the desire to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families and communities. Membership in the organization, include some requirements for membership.

The Benton County Smith-Geater VFW Post #8884 was established in 1947. Both men and women are part of the Auxilary. If there are servicemen or women unable to join the Legion because they didn't serve overseas and they received combat pay, they are eligible to join the Auxiliary.

Jeanette Henry has served proudly as part of the VFW for many years. She is the President of the Smith-Geater VFW Post #8884 Auxiliary but as of June 6, 2021 she will be the Department of Iowa VFW Auxiliary President. This is a first for Vinton.

The VFW or the Veterans of Foreign Wars was organized for the veterans who have served specifically overseas. (The Legion is for Veterans who have served in every area.)

Members must be citizens of the United States or a United States National, and at least 16 years old.

Those eligible are:

• Husband/Wife
• Widower/Widow
• Father/Mother
• Grandfathers/Grandmothers
• Sons/Daughters
• Grandsons/Granddaughters
• Brothers/Sisters

of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

The local VFW Smith-Geater Post #8884 celebrated their Grand Opening at their very own location on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

The local Auxilary is part of nearly 470,000 male and female members and one of more than 3,700 Auxiliaries in the United States.

Melody Snow, Director of Vinton Unlimited was on hand for a ribbon-cutting and to congratulate the Smith-Geater VFW Post #8884 at Saturday's Grand Opening. The post is located where anyone who has been part of the Vinton community for several decades will know it as being located " on the County Home road, where the dog pound used to be." To the newbies, it can be found at 5999 25th Ave. Trail, Vinton.

Over the years the building sat empty and fell into great disrepair. Over several months, the group stripped away all of the damage and began to repair and restore the building. Now housing a kitchen area and seating the Post will also be available to rent for family dinners, graduation parties or other events.

The group has been steady in its efforts and this was no different. With a vision to assist military families, the Auxiliary is thrilled to be able to have a home of their own. The new location they hope will be for the younger veterans to enjoy with their families. The group hopes to place playground equipment on the grounds for younger children to enjoy, as well as eventually a fire pit somewhere on the grounds.

Also present to receive recognition from the post was Mrs. Steffen who works closely with the veterans each year to make sure that their stories are passed along to the younger generations. There were also 5 high school students who were recognized for their work at the facility helping to clean it up so that repairs could be made. Those students were Kelley Christy, Mason Coder, Ellery Johnson, Abby Davis and Ashlie Meyer. They each received a certificate from the VFW which read, "Veterans of Foreign Wars Certificate of Appreciation In special recognition of the support you have provided Smith-Geater VFW Post 8884 and Auxiliary while remodeling our new Post. The hours and hard work you provided allowed us to open sooner than we had planned."

If you are interested in renting the facility for a family dinner, or other events, the cost is $125 per day. Simply contact Dale Henry the Post Commander at (319) 693-9215 or you can contact Jeffy Huffman the Post Quartermaster at (319) 899-4380.

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