EUREKA, Kan. (KSNW) – According to the state Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) office, VFW posts around Kansas are seeing a rapid decline in younger veteran membership. Leaders of a post in Eureka say it’s making it difficult to keep the lights on.
Since 1997, statewide membership has decreased from 42,000 to just 14,000. The Quartermaster for Post 2712 in Eureka, Drew Ramsey, says they are part of that statistic and that lack of young veterans joining may force them to close.
Ramsey said that they are trying everything to keep the doors open, but the cost of insurance and repairs has outpaced their budget.
“Even with volunteer labor, we do not generate enough to offset increasing overhead. Where we’re at is one major issue: a roof, HVAC. We buy that to fix it, and we’re essentially sealing our own fate,” he said.
Ramsey even started a fundraiser. A rally cry to save tradition.
“A call to arms, if you will, to save the post,” he said. “A last-ditch, ‘Hey, don’t be surprised if we don’t get the participation, if we don’t get younger members to participate. This isn’t going to be around.'”
Ramsey believes the pressures of providing and the cost of living have taken the time away from those younger veterans to be able to be active in their local VFWs.
“Parents take on a lot more for their kids, whether it’s 4-H, whether it’s sports, whatever the case is, life is busier,” he said.
Post 2712’s commander of more than 25 years, Don Scott, worries about the post’s future.
“We’re down to 60 members on our membership roster, and we used to have over 100 easy,” he said.
As a Vietnam veteran, he fears tradition will be lost if the post closes its doors.
“Expect a lot of us here in Eureka for parades and funerals, but if we had to close down, they’re going to lose all that participation here in town; it would hurt my feelings to shut down,” said Scott.
Once defending the country, now defending a different battle.
Ramsey and Scott said that nearly $3,500 has been raised over the last couple of days. They say they hope to welcome younger veterans who served overseas, not to be afraid to reach out and get involved.