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Veterans - does Dalhart need a VFW Post?


Posted by: tdt -

 Veterans - does Dalhart need a VFW Post?

 Are you or is someone you know a war veteran? Are you or they lonely for someone to talk to who has shared experiences? 

Have y’all wondered why Dalhart doesn’t have a VFW Post? That’s a place where veterans of foreign wars – basically all honorably discharged current war veterans – can gather and talk with other people who have been in their same situations. 

Austin Smith, a Dalhart native and Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan, wants you to know that there are others in the area wondering the same thing and wanting to make a change. 

“It’s been on my mind for a while,” Smith said. “Why don’t we have a VFW here? We used to have one. Dumas has one, Clayton has one. Why can’t we?” 

Dalhart’s VFW closed many years ago – no one can determine how many – as membership began aging and dwindling. Remaining members were folded into the Dumas VFW membership, said their Quartermaster, David Garrett. 

He added that aging membership is an issue with most VFW Posts. 

“We have very few younger veterans,” he said. “Maybe seven of our 37 members are Afghanistan era or that age.” 

Studies have shown that too often, many younger veterans don’t feel the need to reach out until they are at crisis point. 

Smith has done some initial research and learned that to open a new VFW Post requires a minimum of 25 members, and that 10 of those must be new, having never joined a VFW previously. He has already located a temporary meeting space if enough people show interest. 

“A VFW is important for a number of reasons,” Smith said. “It’s a fraternal organization that fosters camaraderie, but it’s more than that. A lot of people think lodges and bars, but this doesn’t have to be a place to drink. 

“It’s a place to come together, but in addition to socialization, a VFW offers a lot of resources. They help cut through the red tape with the Veterans Association. They have links to social services. They’re beneficial for families. They do a lot of good.” 

Smith is clear that while he wants to help bring a VFW to Dalhart, it will take a team to make it happen. He and The Dalhart Texan ask that anyone interested in organizing a VFW Post in Dalhart please contact the Dalhart Texan at 806-244-4511 or editor@ thedalharttexan.com. You are also welcome to come by the office at 410 Denrock Avenue. 

For the full story SUBSCRIBE to the online edition of The Dalhart Texan, call (806) 244-4511 to setup a subscription to our physical paper or pick a copy up at one of our many convenient news rack locations. You can also stop by and purchase a paper or subscription in person at our news office located at 410 Denrock Ave.