Barry Donehue, commander of VFW Post 7376, left, talks with a guest at his retirement party at the post in Saxonburg on Friday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

SAXONBURG — Members of VFW Post 7376 bid farewell Friday, June 9, to Commander Barry Donehue, who is retiring and moving back to his native South Carolina.

The post held a party to send Donehue off with gratitude for his work during the two years he led the organization.

He served two tours in Iraq and served in Kosovo and areas in the Middle East during his tour in the Army from 1992 to 2021.

Donehue said he and his wife, Saxonburg native Sara Hinderliter Donehue, moved from South Carolina to her hometown after he retired from the military.

As post commander, he said he always acted with the consensus of members and was happy to serve them.

“We tried to make everyone feel welcome and at home there,” Donehue said.

He considers a vote by members in August 2022 to ban smoking inside the post as his biggest accomplishment.

“We have many Vietnam veterans who suffer from Agent Orange and have other lung issues who haven’t gone to the VFW for years. They now come with their spouses for activities. It’s great to see veterans who grew up together come together and make it their home,” Donehue said.

He said he is proud of the post’s active and social members and the women’s auxiliary for raising money to help veterans’ charities such as Robin’s Home in Butler and to directly help local veterans.

Donehue said Sara helped revive the auxiliary, which was not active when he became commander. The auxiliary now has more than 40 members, he said.

Those accomplishments help make the VFW an asset to the community, he said.

In addition to leading the VFW, Donehue worked as assistant golf pro at the Butler County Club.

Barry Donehue, commander of VFW Post 7376, center, stands with a number of Vietnam veterans at Donahue's retirement party at the post in Saxonburg on Friday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

People attend a retirement party for Barry Donehue, commander of VFW Post 7376, in Saxonburg on Friday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

People attend a retirement party for Barry Donehue, commander of VFW Post 7376, in Saxonburg on Friday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Barry and Sara Donehue hold a handmade plaque that was a gift from Richard Burns at VFW Post 7376 in Saxonburg as Barry is retiring as post commander Friday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Barry Donehue, longtime legion commander of VFW Post 7376, looks at a handmade plaque that was a gift from Richard Burns at Donahue’s retirement party at the post in Saxonburg on Friday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle