Volume 3, Issue 10

October 2006

Editorial Commentary

Hillyard Is Changing and Not Always To the Good
by annoymous

Hillyard is changing and not always to the good. This sign has fallen but is not dead.

These people are no longer spring chickens, but they are seeking young hens and roosters to replace their duties as the backbone of our military.  They served and served proudly.  Today the Hillyard VFW Post 1474 is homeless, and broke, but not down and out. They are making major decisions on how to survive. The Hillyard VFW Post 1474 is chartered as the Hillyard chapter and is mandated for its service in its chartered area. Why are they homeless (brick and mortar)?  They, like so many other organizations, could not keep up on the stepped rent for the building that they graced for so many years. Between the taxes, the increasing utilities, the maintenance of the building and the rent, the combination was financially impossible to meet.  Since most of its members average 60+, volunteers for functions and fundraisers are dwindling as well.

The good news is that, since their by-laws state that in order to have a charter, they must have an office, so the owner of the Alaskan Lounge building (and special friend of the VFW) graciously donated a portion of one of his houses as an administrative office for a focal point for its membership and business.  The cost of rent is very little.  The Northeast Community Center has also opened their arms, giving them a monthly meeting place.  Furthermore, Donna the owner of the business of the Alaskan Lounge and Bobbi, owner of the Lariat in Mead, have extended their welcome to holding their fundraisers/functions at their establishments.  Among some of these functions are game nights, Stake & Bakes, Fish Frys, Horse Races and other raffle functions.  They no longer have to find the money to pay the massive utility bill or building rent; just get their back taxes paid so they can reach their goal of finding a new home within the Hillyard community.  It's a struggle for them, at $1,500 a month, but with the help of donations and such, they believe they can do it.

Hillyard, the part of the city that has always been tagged as the "Biker, Booze and Broads" area (the rough part of Spokane) has a softer side too. Now we have the VFW scattered throughout Historic Hillyard's evening bars, only to talk about their hope of coming back to a warm and friendly future. They are welcomed with open arms mingling with the locals.

Is the Hillyard VFW Post 1474 worth saving???? They have conducted dinners, steak feeds, raffles -- almost anything short of placing donation cans in all the stores asking to keep the VFW afloat.

We now have a new generation of men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, they too may have needs, a place to go to feel comfortable again. The VFW members have always been the support team for our troops.

The following is what makes or nationwide VFWs so important to our community and why we have to help support our very own Hillyard VFW Post 1474:

Some of the obligations and duties of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and it's Ladies Auxiliary are not only to serve and help the disabled and needy veterans and their families, but also to serve and work with and within their communities with other organizations, i.e., law enforcement, schools, churches, senior citizens, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.  Some of the projects we participate in are funerals, setting up memorial services and/or wakes for all of our veterans when we're notified.  We visit patients in our Veteran's Hospitals, nursing homes, private homes and rehabilitation centers.  We have, and furnish, medical devices to those in need of them.  We are asked, and participate in, community activities, such as parades, public ceremonies, presentation of flags, educational materials, POW and MIA activities, blood drives, cancer and March of Dimes drives.  We also have children programs such as: Easter egg hunts at the park, Halloween and Christmas parties.  On occasion, we visit schools.  At Christmas time, donations are collected for Christmas Baskets, which are assembled for the needy veterans and their families, then personally delivered.  At Thanksgiving, a turkey dinner is provided for all homeless and/or needy veterans and their families.

Please, if you have ideas on how the VFW of Hillyard can survive please tell us. This website has started a forum dedicated to this subject. Click on this link so all of Hillyard can move forward.

Editor's Note:
We are currently seeking contact information within the VFW so as to provide a vehicle to help them.  We will post it here are soon as it becomes available.
 

© Historic-Hillyard.com

October 2006