Valerie Cassity - Special to the Sun

The local chapter Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 7665 is seeking veterans to boost membership and sustain the post into the next generation. Because 70 percent of their membership is made up of out of town members, our VFW is having a difficult time with financial and program support. 'We’re looking for new members; anyone who was in a foreign war, Korean, WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq,' said Senior Vice Commander Charlie Lehmann, 'We’re looking for the new generation of the VFW.'

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.3 million members in approximately 8,400 posts worldwide. Its mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense.

VFW Commander Tom Varble chows down on a tri-tip morsel during the post’s chuckwagon dinner Satuday evening.

According to their website, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

VFW Post 7665 purchased their building and adjacent property in Lake Isabella in 1993. Unfortunately, due to WWII veterans passing on and the amount of absentee membership, they don’t have enough capital to keep it going. The local VFW was in dire straits last November, and thought they would have to close their doors until dedicated members stepped in and helped pay back bills, which are now up to date. The only worrisome bill they have at this point is the mortgage, and Lehmann says that once that is paid off, there will no longer be a problem. 'We just need to keep the doors open; we need the support from the community,' he added, 'We’re doing okay, but not enough to keep our programs alive.'

As part of National Charter, each Post is required to do 33 items throughout the year for military and community, and is fined if they fail to complete their charitable requirements. VFW Post 7665 holds an annual Christmas party for kids, and collects gifts for needy children. In addition, the post selects five families to give turkey dinners to on Thanksgiving and Christmas and feed the veterans a free dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also give assistance to homeless vets, and hold a blood drive and poppy drive each year, as well as a myriad of other activities. 'We’re trying to do everything we can to stay on top of it,' said Lehmann.

The post is in dire needs of funds from the public. They accept tax deductible cash donations, but the community can also support them by attending the lunches served at the VFW, which are open to the public every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12-3 p.m. They also hold Thursday night taco dinners and Saturday night dinners from 5-7 p.m., and Sunday morning breakfasts from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 'That’s a way you can support your local VFW,' said Lehmann, 'Anything anybody can do we appreciate.'

The newest project that the local VFW has undertaken is the 'Because We Care' program, where the post has adopted a unit in Iraq; the unit that the son of Whitewater Cafˆ©’s owner, Linda King, is returning to for the fourth time. Brian King is an Army Sergeant from the largest aviation base in Germany, and his mother is so proud of his service, but ready for the war to end so her son can come home. "The VFW is so great in helping me," she said,¬Ý"Everyone is getting sick of the war, but we don't want to get sick of the soldiers."

The program started with King’s sister-in-law, who started sending care packages to her own son's unit.¬ÝKing always remembers the female soldiers, too, and sends them special items just for women. One woman wanted a Yankee candle to light at base, which King of course included in her package.¬ÝThe soldier was so overwhelmed at the things they gave her that she sent Linda flowers.¬Ý 'I have never asked for a thank you,' said King, 'I do it from the love in my heart.'

Both the VFW and Whitewater Cafe are accepting donations of hard candy, dried fruit, sunglasses, soap, hand sanitizers, magazines, band aids, mind games, and more to send to the unit. The soldiers love getting anything that is sent.¬Ý Something as simple as a yo-yo, games, things to do on the off time, and every other addition to the care package is welcome. There is a list at both the VFW and the cafˆ© of suggested items, and slips are also available in all Kern Valley Post Offices to pay for a box, if one prefers.¬Ý 'Everything goes to the soldiers,' assured both King and Lehmann.

VFW Post 7665 is located behind McDonalds at 2811 Nugget Avenue. For more information, call them at 379-3877.