VFW Post 9660 Looks Ahead

“The post is changing as we speak,” says Spence White, senior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9660, Chimney Rock location in Broadway.

Most think that the VFW is exclusively for those who have served in battle arenas abroad; while this is largely true, Post 9660 is working to open the doors to all generations.

“We want to bring in guys and gals, the younger community and the whole family; we want to make this club the community’s club,” says White.

While the VFW still continues to “take care of veterans,” Post 9660 is morphing the tradition by providing meaningful events for the community as well.

Post 9660 has plans to host a wide variety of live entertainment that will appeal to the current members as well as “the younger folks,” says White.

Recently, the post has influenced Cindy Hughes, of the Veterans’ Center in Martinsburg, W.Va., to visit the VFW Post 9660.

“[Cindy] comes down twice a week, Monday and Wednesday to see any veteran who has had any adjustment issues and medical issues,” explains White.

“We are very proud of this because it brought the help to the veterans instead of the veterans having to go to Martinsburg or Roanoke to seek help.”

White adds that Hughes began making her weekly visits this past summer and plans to continue coming to the Broadway location.

Another future plan for Post 9660 is to modify the location into “more of a community center” to hold more activities and local events, says White.

These plans include using the location for an emergency relief center, housing for fundraising events and  providing a space to highlight the beauty of the Chimney Rock area.

“The setting is so rural and beautiful, we want to work to enhance it,” says White.

“We are all very excited,” about the expansion at Post 9660, says White. “We are trying to pass onto other generations the ideals that our country holds very sacred …  we are [here] to educate.”
 

Contact Aimee George at (540) 574-6292 or ageorge@dnronline.com.