ONLY ON 3: Local veterans organization alive and well despite consolidation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The VFW building in Leland is up for sale, and across the country VFWs are consolidating much like Leland did with the Wilmington post.

According to Post Commander Joe Stanley, many younger veterans think of the VFW as a place their grandparents would hang out.

“A lot of the posts are aging out,” Stanley said. “There were WWII vets, Korean War vets. They’re getting older, they’re passing away and newer guys, newer members are not coming in.”

But stanley said the organization has plenty to offer younger vets.

“There’s things that they can get involved in,” Stanley said. “It’s just not, you know, the good old boy network and people sitting around telling war stories.”

Veteran Service Officer Mary Skov said that the VFW is very involved in the community. They even have their own motorcycling group to help veterans connect with one another. She said that they are always innovating and finding new ways to serve and that will hopefully encourage a new wave of members.

“A wave effect, where it’s a little bit at a time and a little bit at a time, gathering momentum,” Skov said. “Where they do come back because they do see a need, and they start to realize they cannot do it on their own.”

Douglas Prouty is a young veteran who said he is glad he joined the VFW and always feels like he has people looking out for him.

“It’s brought me closer to the community,” Prouty said. I’ve been very active in helping other veterans. It’s been a great time.”

The organization said they are continuing to develop new outreach programs to connect with more foreign war veterans, so the VFW legacy lives on.

The Wilmington VFW post has quite a few events scheduled in the near future, including a Super Bowl party, Valentine’s Day dinner and scholarship essay program with local schools.