CAMDENTON, Mo. — In December, the Camdenton VFW celebrated 50 years of being a Veterans of Foreign War post. Through the years, the post has seen successes, challenges and changes.

In past years, the group lost members because meetings often turned into heated debates, and the local center lacked a lounge for veterans to gather. But three years ago, new blood came into the group. Lance Kellogg and Ross Reinhart joined the post and together began a movement to build a stronger future. Kellogg, a Vietnam veteran, was elected Post Commander and started to clean up the post’s accountability. He also embraced putting young veterans in leadership roles.

During his two terms as Post Commander, Kellogg successfully restored the post with a financial audit and disciplinary actions to members that were damaging the post and violating the organization’s bylaws. Kellogg groomed Afghanistan Veteran Ross Reinhart to be his replacement as part of his progressive stance in empowering young veterans.

Knowing that VFWs across America were struggling to recruit and retain Iraq and Afghanistan members, Kellogg, now District Commander, challenged the young veterans in the post to work with the seasoned veterans to make the Camdenton VFW the example to other posts on how to evolve, serve, and prosper. Similar changes are happening in other posts, such as the nation’s first VFW post: VFW Post 1 in Denver, Colo.

Not Just Your Grandpa’s VFW

Last summer, the post adopted a slogan, “Not Just Your Grandpa’s VFW.” The mantra is meant to convey the post’s readiness to preserve the traditions of the VFW and its eagerness to add new programs and events aimed at attracting young veterans and their families. Post leadership emphasized the new slogan is meant to show non-members that the Camdenton VFW has all ages of veterans among its membership. And to those members, it is a message that the post wants to support all of its veterans.

Under the leadership of Post Commander Ross Reinhart, the post continues to embrace VFW traditions by following bylaws and meeting etiquette, and participating in VFW programs. It still keeps VFW’s long standing programs such as Buddy Poppy Days, Patriot’s Pen, Voice of Democracy, Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Home support, and others. The post has been seeing recent success in offering new special events for all ages of veterans, families, and the community, such as its Block Party and Trunk R’ Treat events and the Thanksgiving Community Luncheon.

While the overall membership numbers are still in decline, largely due to the aging of WWII and Korean veterans, the Camdenton VFW says it is actually growing in terms of active members. The meetings are typically full of veterans from WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Female and minority veteran membership has increased, and post leadership hopes this trend builds in the near future.

“We aren’t just recruiting young veterans. While that is important, we want all ages of veterans to join us. We would really like to see members that haven’t been to the post in recent years return,” Reinhart said.

“The post has made great strides for a bright future because of small group of very active members. With more veterans and auxiliary members, our potential to serve veterans and our community is limitless,” added Vietnam Veteran and Assistant Post Quartermaster Terry Reaka.

VFW Auxiliary Opens Eligibility to Males

In 2015, the Veterans of Foreign Wars opened eligibility to its Auxiliary to males. Any husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, or granddaughter of a VFW eligible veteran, who is a US citizen over the age of 16, can now join the VFW Auxiliary. The Camdenton VFW Auxiliary now has males to include the grandsons of post founding auxiliary member Hazel Parrish and Doug Thompson, a former D.O.D. medic who served in Iraq. This change opens many new opportunities for supporters to serve along with post member veterans, to include veterans who served in peacetime but who have relatives that earned combat ribbons.

Connecting to the Community and Schools

The VFW has always offered programs to educate youth and instill patriotism, and the Camdenton VFW has continued to grow its connection to Camdenton Schools. The post has recently helped the school district with putting flags in classrooms, donating a flag pole, participating in a veterans vs. teachers basketball game, volunteering for Veterans in the Classroom, and attending Veterans Day events. Dogwood Elementary held its own fundraiser for the post’s new building, a Run/Walk event that raised $3,000.

Camdenton VFW Members At The Run/Walk Fundraiser

Utilizing Facebook & Email Newsletters

One of the post’s members, Post Surgeon Keith Lucas, works as a web designer and social media marketer. The post has utilized Keith’s abilities to bolster its social media presence and website, lakevfw.org. The post also offers a monthly email newsletter. For up-to-date info, follow both “VFW Post 5923 - Camdenton, MO” and “VFW Auxiliary of Post 5923 - Camdenton, MO” on Facebook and Twitter.

Both Lucas and Reinhart earned national recognition for their efforts, earning the distinction of appointments as National Aide-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief John A. Biedrzycki, Jr. Nominated by Kellogg and Department (State) Commander, Nancy Cowan.

Bingo

The Camdenton VFW is still home to one of the Lake's most popular BINGO games. The games are held every Friday and Saturday evening, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Early Bird games start at 6:30 p.m., with Horse Race games prior to that. They play 24 games a night with 2 Progressive Jackpots each night that go up every week if no one wins. The winner of each night's last game takes 90% of that game. There is also a $500 coverall jackpot every night. All other game winnings are determined by attendance. The proceeds benefit veterans and the post.

The New Building

A new post building is in construction. This new facility will house the local VFW’s Bunker Bar & Grill, a post event/meeting room, kids’ play room, and a community event/meeting center. The post hopes to open the bar and restaurant in the early summer of 2016, with the event center opening later in 2016. Zach Sousley of S&S Custom Building, LLC is now the general contractor and is currently in the sheetrock/drywall stage of construction. The existing building will remain in operation as the post’s BINGO hall.

The Camdenton VFW now meets on the first Monday of the month. There is a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. and a meeting at 7 p.m. A veteran service officer is available to help any veteran with VA claims during the dinner portion of the meeting night.

To learn more about Camdenton VFW events and programs, follow both “VFW Post 5923 - Camdenton, MO” and “VFW Auxiliary of Post 5923 - Camdenton, MO” on Facebook and Twitter or check their website, lakevfw.org.

Upcoming Events

Post & Auxiliary February Meeting: Feb. 1, 6 p.m.

How to Utilize Military Tax Services for Retirees, Presented by Fort Leonard Wood Tax Center: Feb. 12, 12-3 p.m.

VFW Post 5923 as Celebrity Bartender at Heroes: Feb. 26

Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Missouri: Feb. 27

Rally the Troops: All Veteran and Veteran Supporter Happy Hour at Heroes: March 4

Post & Auxiliary March Meeting: March 7, 6 p.m.


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