Everyone welcome at VFW Post 2281

VFW Post 2281’s Club Manager Michael Berry provided an update on the Post and the direction they are heading.

At the Town Council meeting on June 4, the council approved a Bar and Grill Liquor License for the Post. As a direct and immediate benefit, the VFW is proud to announce that “Any and All are Welcome at the VFW.”

According to Berry, any resident, visitor, or tourist is more than welcome to avail themselves of the friendly and comfortable environment at the Post. Former Veterans and those currently serving in our Armed Forces are, of course, particularly welcome.

Berry added that, in his opinion, the VFW has recently hit a “tough patch”. He said, “There’s not very many of us (veterans) left at the post. We’re an aging group and it’s hard for us to cover all of the bases that the community has become accustomed to our attending to. If you are watching the parades, you see the same veterans in the Color Guard, proudly carrying the flags, year after year. Every year we face the risk of losing one of the “regulars”. We’re going to have the same thing coming up in the future, and it’s going to get worse because the guys are getting older. So we’re having a hard time, and the answer lies in expanding the membership in the VFW organization both locally and nationally. If the Bar and Grill arrangement allows us to continue, and at least marginally, increase our revenue stream, then building maintenance and staffing will be readily accomplished and we will continue to be a contributing factor in our community. At the mention of staffing, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the contribution of our volunteer kitchen staff. They labor many hours to prepare what our regular customers declare to be the best Hamburgers (½ pound on Monday 5-7 p.m.) and Chicken Fried Steak (every Thursday 5-7 p.m.) in town. They continue to do so after many years of quiet service to the Post. We are in their debt!”

Berry continued and said, “As to what’s new and forthcoming, we will be opening up the patio very shortly. A little ‘dining alfresco’, as it were. I’m also looking into expanding the number of evenings we will offer additional food service, nothing extensive. It is not our intention to become a full-service eatery, but we do wish to ensure our continued viability.”

Berry added, “As to those things that we have previously been doing within the community, we certainly want to keep them going, and the way to do that is, in some respects, to expand our services so we can expand everything we do.”

The VFW also features a refurbished pool table and shuffleboard. Berry also said that darts will be coming soon as well, all of which are free to use.

He also said, “Our biggest asset is a quiet, friendly atmosphere where all are welcome.”

Regarding their hours of operation, Berry said, “At present, and subject to change as we try to expand our capabilities, the VFW is open: Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 5-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, the bar is open 2-8 p.m.”