Veterans face battle at home
The American Legion Post in Brainerd is experiencing a financial crisis and recently put out an urgent call to its members for donations.
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Ron Holloway, Post 255 commander in Brainerd, said with so many organizations looking for donations in this economy, Legion leaders decided to focus on an internal appeal. Holloway said the Legion's financial officer told them if they didn't do something soon they'd have to lock the doors. The Office Shop in Brainerd donated the printing of the letters to membership and envelopes. And the response came in $10, $20, $50 and $100 donations. A couple of people came with $500 and one with $1,000.
"It all helped," Holloway said. "I feel it was a temporary fix."
Several factors put Post 255 in this financial position. State regulations required spending for fire upgrades and there were necessary kitchen improvements. Upgrading the fire system and security system cost more than $30,000.
Bryce Eaton (left), Jim Falconer, Ron Holloway and Darwin Haberman shared a laugh Tuesday at the American Legion Post 255 in Brainerd. Increased costs and declining revenues have put the club in a financial crisis and donations were sought from members. Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson» Purchase reprints of this photo.
At the same time, business has gone down. It's a combination of a poor economy, an indoor smoking ban and an aging World War II generation. The Brainerd Legion is losing members it isn't recouping with younger veterans. It's a problem affecting American Legion and VFW posts across the country.
Brainerd's Legion Post once was the largest in the state. Members numbered about 1,800. With 946 members now at its Front Street site in downtown Brainerd, it remains the largest post in the Sixth District.
A depletion of Legion funds came with a program in 1987 that offered Paid up for Life memberships. At the time, members could pay $300 or $400 to cover their membership fees for a lifetime. While the Legion has honored those obligations, the costs have increased beyond the fund's capacity. Members are living longer and membership dues have tripled in the past 15 years.
The annual Legion membership is $35. Of that $8.25 goes to the local post. The rest goes to the district, the state and the national levels. The Brainerd Legion pays for 165 lifetime memberships and 35 honorary memberships, given to those who did a lot for the post over the years.
Holloway said now the post is going to have to tell those members it can no longer afford to pay their memberships.
The Legion worked to bring in more revenue by increasing events like - Monday burgers, Tuesday bingo and a mega bingo, Thursday night dinners, Friday night basket food and karaoke, a Sunday commander's breakfast and Sunday bingo. They've cut hours of operation and tightened inventory. But Holloway said that all adds up to a small amount that can be wiped out whenever there is an unexpected bill.
Holloway said any donations - even $5 - would be welcome. Imagine, he said, if 20,000 people each sent in $5. The Legion, like other veterans and civic organizations, provides more than a gathering place for members.
For veterans, another battle is looming and it may determine if service organizations will be able to survive. That's one of the questions facing the American Legion Post 255 in Brainerd, once the state's largest post. Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson» Purchase reprints of this photo.
"The Legion has done a lot of good things for the community over the years," Holloway said.
The club's community donations include $2,500 in high school scholarships; support for Legionville, Legion ball, Bronco League, food shelf; supplying American flags to Forestview; and providing color guards at veterans funerals. The Legion members focus on helping veterans, troops, children and community projects. Last year, the club gave about $40,000 to the community.
And Legion members said the public may be unaware the club rents meeting rooms for such gatherings as weddings. The main hall accommodates up to 250 people and other rooms handle 50 to 150 people for smaller events. Those hosting benefit fundraisers may use meeting rooms free of charge.
Legion member Bob Harting said the public needs to know they are welcome to go to the club for the events or meals or just to visit and that's one way they can support the Legion. They are asked to sign the guestbook at the entrance as visitors.
"It would be sad if we lose this post, but I think we are getting close to that point," Harting said. "We need the support of those younger veterans."
What is lost if the Legion and service clubs disappear? "Everything," Holloway said, noting the club's community involvement.
"If it wouldn't be for these guys that come in here, the people in this town and every other town in this country would not be able to live the kind of life that they live."
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.