CEDAR POINT, N.C. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization that dates back to 1899. With 1.5 million members, it is the largest American organization of combat veterans. It works on behalf of veterans by lobbying Congress for better health care and benefits.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9960 in Cedar Point, N.C., celebrated the grand opening of its new bar, known as the Canteen, with food, friends and live music, July 28.
The Canteen was added to the post as a place where the veterans can have a drink, socialize and stay together, said Fred Parlow, post quartermaster.
The addition to the post took approximately seven months to build and was dedicated to the previous post commander, William “Wild Bill” Sloan, said Parlow.
“The Canteen allows the members to get together any night now to talk and share a few drinks, opposed to just once a month. It helps maintain contact and camaraderie,” said Parlow.
For the grand opening, a chicken barbecue was put together so the members, along with family and friends, could show their support for the local veterans in need while enjoying a fine meal. All the money made from selling the plates of barbecue went to help veterans and the VFW post.
Later the celebration featured the Eastern Carolina country-rock band Slammin Dixie. Slammin Dixie played their music for the guests and supporters of the VFW during the night with the money made from their show, also being donated to help veterans in the area that are in need.
“Anybody is welcome to come out to our post especially active duty military. We appreciate the support and camaraderie that is made between us and the (service members) still active,” said Parlow.
Marines, retirees, family and friends came together to show their support for local veterans and the Cedar Point VFW in addition to the post’s previous commander.
“It is important to show support for the local veterans because of everything they have done,” said Patrick White, Marine veteran. “Without them and what they have done and sacrificed for this country, who knows what America and the world would be like.”
The veterans and their guest’s celebration of the grand opening of the Canteen provided a great time for friends and family members to gather and share their support for the local veterans.
Donations will assist in the VFW’s mission to provide support to and speak on behalf of the veterans of America’s foreign wars. To volunteer or donate money to the VFW’s cause, go to the VFW website at http://www.vfw.org