PEA RIDGE — A group of veterans met in the middle of the afternoon Monday to discuss what they can do for their community. They are aging, but proud to have served their country and proud now to promote patriotism in Pea Ridge schools and the community.
Howard Schuettpelz, commander of VFW Post 8109, served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was drafted from Wisconsin in 1968. He has been the commander of this post for four years.
The group brainstormed ideas for fundraisers to aid its scholarship fund. One member suggested a barbecue, like suchfundraisers by the Kiwanis Club and the Lions Club in the area.
“If we had a bigger membership I’d say yes,” said Bob Hauter, U.S. Navy veteran and post quartermaster. “But look what we’ve got here.”
Hauter sat at the table with only six other men.
Schuettpelz recognizes that the post is in need of members.
“We have too many World War II people, they are passing away,” he said.
That reminded Hauter to make a motion to donate to the hospice former member Jay Lynch was in. Lynch passed away July 5.
Around the table that day,there were three W.W. II veterans, two Vietnam vets and two who served in Korea.
Roy Hance, a W.W.
II U.S. Army engineer, served under General Patton. Referred to as “the old dude,” Homer Walker’s W.W. II tour took him with the Army to Europe, England and the Pacific.
Robert Prophet served with the Army in Germany in W.W. II and is now the vice-commander of the post. Jerry Burton was in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, and Ron Simons served in Korea with the Army 7th Division.
To be eligible to join the VFW, one must have served in an occupied war zone, Schuettpelz said. There is no age limit or restrictions based on military branch or gender. Every active and ex-veteran is welcome.
The purpose of the VFW is to promote patriotism by putting up flags, replacing tattered flags, aiding wounded vets and their families and giving scholarship money to local students.
The group gives $500 in scholarship funds every year. The VFW also puts up flags at cemeteries for both Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day.
“It all takes work,” Schuettpelz said, “we need more able bodies.”
The VFW is planning a four-man scramble golf tournament at Big Sugar Golf Course in August to raise funds.
The group meets at 2 p.m. the second Monday of the month at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church.
To join, bring form DD-214 to a meeting. There is an initial membership fee of $18, but once a member begins coming regularly to meetings, the yearly membership fee will be waived. Members are also allowed to transfer posts.
News, Pages 1 on 07/14/2010