Long Island Veterans’ Halls Struggling To Stay Open After Losing Money During Pandemic – CBS New York
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — On the eve of Veterans Day, there’s a name to assist struggling veterans’ halls.
VFW and American Legion posts are at risk of shuttering due to a lot cash and lives misplaced through the pandemic.
They’re greater than brick and mortar. There’s a soul to those veterans’ posts, the place, for greater than a century, vets have united.
“It’s a query of gathering and feeling of fellowship. It’s extra of a bond,” mentioned Joe Clark, commander of American Legion Put up 1066.
However they’re struggling. Barely hanging on earlier than the pandemic, COVID claimed members’ lives and important income from banquets.
The VFW in Brentwood, constructed by World Warfare II veterans, is unable to open. Water harm is in all places, leaking from a Fifties roof.
Sabrina Lacy, a military medic, is making an attempt to reserve it.
“The ceiling is leaking, and the opposite half is leaking from the air con,” she mentioned.
“Inform me what you scent,” CBS2’s Carolyn Gusoff mentioned.
“Mildew. So what we’re doing is gutting it,” Lacy mentioned.
They’re costly fixes that take providers away from veterans.
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Veterans organizations say they didn’t qualify for federal restoration funds as a result of they don’t have workers. They’re asking for assist from infrastructure funding and the general public in reviving banquet bookings.
“You’ll not be solely getting a fantastic venue, however you’ll be doing one thing patriotic and one thing to assist our veterans,” Hempstead City Councilman Bruce Blakeman mentioned.
In addition they want youthful veterans to affix.
“I’m speaking to you veterans on the market. It is advisable come and assist us and become involved,” Lacy mentioned. “We’d like your assist however you want us additionally.”
“It’s essential that we get new blood, proper, and proceed to handle the older veterans,” mentioned Jacon Pachucki, commander of AMVETS Put up 88.
Additionally at stake? The historical past that’s handed on.
“From Pearl Harbor to Veterans Day to flag retirement, these are all occasions, when you don’t have a home with the intention to arrange and a membership … They may finally go away,” Pachucki mentioned.
It price veterans beneath $50 a 12 months to affix these organizations, however repairs is on the rise.
Insurance coverage is expensive, and so are security upgrades. In addition they want computer systems and Wi-Fi.
Veterans are asking the general public to assist maintain a part of the American material intact.
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Nationwide, 77 VFW posts closed or have been consolidated because the pandemic. Not less than three of them have been on Lengthy Island.
