The information below is provided by Elbert Reed of the VFW Post 1949.
Enumclaw Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1949 has initiated a multiyear effort to refurbish the Post Hall located on 244th Avenue Southeast. This work will take two to three years to complete, with emphasis initially on structural and safety items.
Post 1949 was chartered in 1937 and for the first couple of decades held their meetings in a rented facility. In the mid-1960s membership of the Post had strong leadership and keen vision. They initiated the construction of the present building and through their hard work and dedication the Post home was completed in 1967. Since then it has it has become a community treasure utilized free of charge by the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, the Enumclaw Garden Club, the Backcountry Riders and the Chamber of Commerce for their annual new teachers breakfast.
The Post provides the building to the Plateau Quilters who utilize it to sew Quilts of Valor. To date the quilters have donated these quilts to more than 1,200 active duty service members and veterans across our nation and around the world. In addition, families of deceased veterans have use of it, free of charge, for memorial services. The Post and the Auxiliary also utilize the building for their meetings and other events to sustain our support of veterans and their families.
Our post members are active throughout the community. The Veterans Memorial Park (Purple Heart Monument) was conceived and built by post members. The annual Memorial Day Service is put on by our post. Members of our post visit local schools at their invitation and post members tell their story to the students. We carry the nation’s colors in local parades. The flag in the Enumclaw High School was donated by the post. The post has several service officers who assist veterans and their families in filing for their benefits. We also have a very active honor guard that serves regularly at the Tahoma National Cemetery. This group provides military honors for deceased veterans at Tahoma and at local cemeteries. Post members are at local grocery stores, twice yearly, passing out Buddy Poppies. The donations the post receives during these events are and can only be used to support active duty service members, veterans or their families and particularly those who are in a time of need. This is as directed by the VFW National Headquarters. The post exists to honor the dead by helping the living and we are proud and privileged to do this. It is from our post building that we can launch all these activities because of the logistical support it provides.
To continue our service to military members, veterans and their families and the community we need to address the physical condition of our building. Over the years the post hall has had repairs and upgrades. However, the wear and tear of the years has taken its toll on the building in a number of ways. We need to initiate several major structural repairs, upgrade wiring to meet current needs, replace the heating system, replace all flooring, and a long list of other needs.
We have established a committee to identify and prioritize the needed repairs. The priorities are the structural integrity of the building, safety and efficiency improvements and overall appearance – in that order. This has been accomplished and estimates for the repairs and upgrades come to $250,000. We will use post funds to the maximum extent possible but additional funds will be required. It is our intent to keep our post as a lasting asset for veterans and our community.
Major improvements have already begun. The roof has been repaired and the gas range replaced. Plans for structural and electrical repairs are in process. To date we have received in kind and more than $1,000 cash donations from local businesses, and more than $1,500 in donations from members of the community. This support is greatly appreciated, as we cannot complete the work on our own. The post and auxiliary have so far raised over $50,000 from our membership, so you see we are making a major commitment of our own resources.
Anyone wishing to assist with this effort is encouraged to make their contribution to: Building Improvement Committee, VFW Post 1949, Building Improvement Committee, PO Box 14, Enumclaw, WA 98022. If you want more information please call the Post phone 360-825-4227 and leave a message. Your call will be returned within a day or two at most. The VFW is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)19 organization. All donations are tax deductible. Everyone who donates to the building fund will receive a thank you letter with the information to deduct the donation from their taxes; be recognized in the Courier Herald (unless told otherwise); and have their names on a special brass plaque in the Post Hall.
