Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 212 is looking for a few good men and women.

Recently, members of the VFW spoke with The Era about needing more members, and what the organization is all about.

“A veteran, as defined through the scope of the Veterans of the Foreign Wars, echoes back over the past 100 years from when it was established. Through World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Bosnia, Afghanistan and some of the other conflicts,” said local VFW 212 Quartermaster, Treasurer, Adjutant and Service Officer Chuck Beattie.

“We are in a unique situation here,” he explained. “We can’t just accept any veterans, they have to have served in a foreign war. We are exclusive because we have served under fire, each one of us. So we have less to draw from than other veteran service organizations.”

Post Commander Ron Peters — who is also the immediate past commander for the state VFW — followed Beattie’s statement up by clarifying, “we are still the largest combat veterans organization in the United States, and the most powerful.”

Peters continued, “There is only one organization that gets to testify in front of the Joint Congressional Session on behalf of Foreign Wars.

“Our Commander In Chief speaks yearly — Fritz Mihelcic, a combat veteran of Desert Storm, out of Illinois, who served under fire while in a bunker he was in and was wounded but is still very active,” Peters said, “and enjoys spending time with his service dog, Mama Cass.”

Post Vice President Steve Kloss explained some of the history of the service organization.

“Veterans of Foreign Wars started after the veterans returned home from World War II,” he said. “Before that the organization was known as Veterans Of Civil War Of The Grand Army Of The Republic,” said Kloss.

The group does a lot for the community, Kloss said, but needs more people involved.

“We need people to join to help people,” he said. “People from here, to serve our community. Last year we gave out $162,000 in donations to the community — to first responders, school organizations and veterans health bills,” he continued.

“We want active members that will work hand-in-hand with us to make a positive difference in the community. That’s what a VFW is all about,” Kloss said.

“It’s not about a bunch of veterans drinking and smoking cigars telling war stories,” he said, adding that is the public perception. “We are working to change that. It will be a hard stereotype to break.”

While membership is exclusive to veterans of foreign wars, the organization supports all veterans who have been honorably discharged from service, Kloss said.

Kloss, along with Peters and Beattie, is a life member of VFW Post 212.

The organization is planning an open house dinner Jan. 11 for all veterans in the county. Veterans should bring their DD214 for consideration of membership to the VFW.

Auxiliary President Amy Peterson said she wants to fill the ranks of the auxiliary as well.

“We’re looking for (those who have) family members who served in active duty. We are always looking for members who want to support the system.” Interested parties will have to have a family member’s DD-214. For those who are unsure how to retrieve their DD-214, Peterson recommends calling the VA office at the Smethport Courthouse.

Area veterans are encouraged to register with the VA because the more who do, the more power the organization has to advocate on behalf of veterans. Veterans can register in Smethport.

“Our VFW across the district and auxiliary are here to help veterans and their families and our community. We are here to serve. It is not about the bar, it’s about serving those who are in need,” said Peters.

He said the VFW members are part of the community, and benefits the community, too.

Without more members, the organization may not be able to continue.

“We are all just one community, and if the post controls the building and if it goes down, a lock goes on the door, and the community loses a valuable asset,” Peters said. “We need the members to fill these chairs up, we need the new ideas from fresh minds. We need an influx of new ideas and leadership.”

For more information about joining the VFW Post 212, call or text (814) 331-1142 or contact the post through their Facebook account.