Laura Hart-Special to the Sun

Military veterans are no strangers to adversity, and when the local VFW Post 7665 faced a bleak financial crisis no more than four weeks ago, it changed everything for the commander of the Lake Isabella Veteran's of Foreign Wars club, Chuck Hossbeck.

“It's a call to duty,” said Hossbeck, who has been working daily since then to bring the post back on line. With its kitchen closed down and the Bingo game cancelled; the post was operating with limited income. And the facility itself had fallen into disrepair.

But within a short period of time the kitchen has been overhauled, veterans have been coming out of the wood work (and doing a little wood work) to help revitalize the post, and the public has shown it's support; which Hossbeck, better known as “Hoss,” said has changed his attitude totally.

“Especially, me as Commander; it lit a fire under me literally,” he said. “But it's not just me; the post membership and the great many people within the post; as well as the public; opened their hearts up to us. That was encouraging; that really, really lit the fire as far as I'm concerned.”

Hoss said after the blockbuster fundraiser earlier this month which took in more than $2,000 from a BBQ and raffle donated by fellow veteran and Marine, Tom Varble, the kitchen has passed inspection from the county health department and is ready to reopen with its first, “taco night” in several months.

Hoss said each Thursday will once again be “taco night”; with a menu that includes tostadas, enchiladas, burritos and more. Food will be served from 5 to 8 p.m.

But now that things are moving in the right direction; Hoss said he wants to make the post more accessible and friendly to the general public. “We're trying to get this place turned around and open ourselves up more to the public; do good things for the public as well as the vets.”

The post will be continuing it's tradition of the Mongolian BBQ's as well as more outdoor cooking. And Hoss expects that this year could be big for the club as veterans with bikes and hotrods are already signing up for the post's 2nd annual “Veteran's River Run,” scheduled for September.

For more information call 379-3877.