VFW Post 1512 Opens New Patio

Military members, veterans and their family and friends celebrated the grand opening of the local patio on Saturday.

About 100 people gathered for the festivities, which began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.

“We started this project with our current and past veterans in mind, and after two and a half years of hard work, dedication for the dream and many hours of hard volunteer work, the patio is now complete and open,” said VFW Post 1512 Commander Larry Reuss. “I would like to give thanks to all the people who personally helped.”

Incoming Post Commander Alex Brown presented a plaque to Reuss and all those who helped build the patio.

“We post this plaque giving utmost thanks to all that had given generously through their time, effort and donations,” Brown said. “We dedicate this patio to all current and incoming veterans.”

After the opening ceremony, Reuss explained that roughly $25,000 was raised to turn the once dirt area with a few parking spots and an old shed into the newly finished patio. The patio includes an open grass area and a concrete area with an overhang, tables, chairs, beverage coolers, television and a surround sound system.

Reuss, who expected the number of attendees to double later in the day, said it felt “exhilarating” to finally have the project complete.

“I wanted to open this for veterans, especially the younger veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, so they have a place where they can talk about the military, so they have a place to go that’s inexpensive, so they have a place to bring their families,” Reuss said. “It’s all about veterans helping veterans.”

In addition to the opening speeches, the festivities included food, music and raffles. Adults relaxed with drinks at the new tables and chairs while children ran around on the grass or worked on arts and crafts at the indoor kid’s zone.

As he watched a group of kids running and laughing, Brown said the patio was constructed with families in mind.

“We built this for our veterans and especially for our families,” said Brown, who begins as Post Commander in about a week. “Families can come down here and have birthdays; they can play and have a good time.”

Ladies Auxiliary member Pam Raquet said people only gathered at the post’s indoor bar and dining hall area before the patio was opened.

“It’s needed,” Raquet said. “We needed a place where there could be recreation and a place for people to go. It was necessary. The bar is great, but we were kind of confined to this room.”

Because she and her parents, children and grandchildren frequently attend the post’s functions, Raquet said the organization has become like a second home for her family.

“We try to celebrate everything that they celebrate to support the veterans,” she said. “This has kind of become, you know Cheers, ‘Where everybody knows your name?’ It’s kind of our Cheers.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is the nonprofit service organization for United States military veterans and their families.

Brown said there are more than 1,200 post members and more than 400 Ladies Auxiliary members. VFW Post 1512 is run entirely by volunteers.

"This isn’t just a party," said Ann Drosi, whose mother is a member of the post. “To me, it’s special because it’s military. I like supporting the post.”