VFW posts pleased with memberships
Veterans organizations in Butler County use events, activities and word-of-mouth to recruit members and are pleased with the results.
VFW Post 117 in Butler has relied on several of these methods. The post uses its billboard on Main Street, newsletter, bingo and word-of-mouth to bolster its membership, according to Post 117 adjutant Dean Noechel.
“Getting the word out into the community about who we are and what we do helps us grow,” said Noechel.
Community involvement has the extra benefit of getting veterans to join the post. Those activities include putting up flags on Main Street from Memorial Day to Veterans Day, placing military tribute banners along Main Street, placing flags on veterans’ graves in the Calvary Cemetery and delivering Christmas presents to residents of VA Butler Healthcare Community Living Center.
The post also helps the Butler County Veteran’s Services department assist veterans and provides scholarships to Butler High School graduates, Noechel said.
He said the post averages 20 to 30 new members per year.
“For a veterans service organization without a military installation around, it’s pretty good,” said Noechel, a 26-year member who served in the war in Iraq.
He said veterans from the Vietnam era are still joining, and younger veterans who served in Lebanon, Grenada, Desert Storm, Desert Shield and the global war on terror are slowly joining.
“We need the younger generation of veterans to join the veteran service organizations so our voices are heard and to keep up the fight for veterans benefits,” Noechel said. “We are always accepting new members at our post.”
Recruitment by members and word-of-mouth is how VFW Post 778 in Lyndora attracts veterans, said commander Toby Wehr.
“We do OK. I’d love to have more new veterans. We’re holding steady,” Wehr said.
Despite the loss of several members each year from the Korean and Vietnam wars, he said he believes the post will meet or come close to its goal of having 735 members by the end of the year.
The post donates to Butler County Veterans in Need and VA Butler Healthcare, Wehr said.
At 33 years old, Brian Buerkle said he is one of the younger members of VFW Post 243 in West Sunbury. He also is the post commander.
“It’s always hard to get younger members,” Buerkle said.
Not being located in a highly-populated area makes it hard to attract younger veterans, but some join, he said.
“We’re kind of in the woods where we’re at. We’re not situated where its convenient for people,” Buerkle said.
However, service and fundraising events help bring in members.
The post conducts Memorial Day services at veteran memorials in West Sunbury and Boyers. It takes three months of work to prepare for the services, which include an honor guard, Boy Scouts, flags, plaques, speakers and a luncheon.
“It’s busy day — but it’s a rewarding day — just to remind everybody what Memorial Day is about,” Buerkle said.
Turkey shoots held in the spring and fall help raise money.
The post has 210 veteran members among a total membership of 800 that includes the sons and auxiliary groups, he said.
“In total, it’s good. Between the sons and auxiliary, we’re doing pretty good,” Buerkle said.
