Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1506964
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 14 UCW SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2023 KATHLEEN RAMSEY,Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? 910-484-6200. editor@upandcomingweekly.com. EVENTS e Veterans of Foreign Wars Post number 670 sits behind the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Just down the thickly wooded twists of Doc Bennett road, on the backside of the airport's runway, sits a medium-sized bricked building with a large American flag flowing out front. In the colors of the American flag is VFW with Post 670 printed just below it. Today, it is buzzing with energy — a meeting has just happened regarding the post's 90th anniversary coming up in September. Small clusters of men are gathered here and there throughout the post, chatting, catching up and sharing smiles. Outside the post is a line of black chairs with red buckets beside them, the word "butts" printed in large capital letters. Just inside the entry of the building are pool tables and a "canteen" — a non-profit bar lined up with stools and a few tables and chairs. From a cursory glance, this is no different than some bars and joints around Fayetteville. e crowd, however, is varied in both age and appearance and "brothers" hug each other as they say goodbye. Some of the members would describe it as "diverse" but there is a tie of service that can only be found during years spent in the military. On one of the far walls, in a quieter corner of the building, is a board full of shiny, silver dog tags. Each one is for an active member of the post. ey hang on the wall, a striking tribute to service members who still give back to their community. is time it's on their own land. As of this year, they have almost 500 members. VFW Post 670 is not what it appears. e history is thicker. e ties are lifelong. Out of the back room where both the stage and dance floor are located, walks Mike Baker, the post commander. Baker speaks fast and looks around as he talks. He is straight forward and calm. He introduces parts of the post, citing it as one of the oldest posts in North Carolina. At the state level, Baker says, they are trying to figure out if it may be the oldest. Baker is proud of his second home — a place where he and other veterans can get involved in the community and host a variety of events. "You name it … if there is an event we can do, we do," Baker said. Coming up is VFW Post 670's 90th anniversary. To celebrate and help raise funds, the members of the post are hosting a concert with local band, Rivermist, raffles for goods, a speech by Baker and saluting the colors. "Last year we did $200,000 in community donations," Baker said. "Veterans are first and foremost, then families and children." e post adopts a unit on Fort Liberty and often leans on them to find what they can do to support the soldiers and community. It's the veterans' way to still be involved in their country but in a very different way than they once were while in the service. Baker only has one rule he tries to go by. "e quicker we turn around the donations, the better." Baker has seen some fluctuations in his membership at the post since COVID. One of his big missions is to help get membership up and veterans in the community active. "I wouldn't want to call it a struggle but it's a constant back and forth," he said. e post sponsors the APA, American Poolplayers Association, as well as World Tavern Poker on Sundays and Wednesdays. ey also give room for Fayetteville Sound to practice their music on ursday nights and of course the hall is available for renting for weddings, parties and other events. Baker is hoping for a large turnout on the post's 90th anniversary on September 8th and 9th. Tickets for the event will be $25 for one day or $40 for both and open to the general public. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Rivermist will play at 5 p.m. on the 9th. Drinks will be available at the canteen and food will be for sale from a food truck. Baker and the other members invite anyone to buy a ticket, participate in the raffle and enjoy some music. For more information about the event the post has both a facebook page or visit vfw670.org. VFW Post 670 Anniversary by KATHLEEN RAMSEY make your Radio sound funny. Mornings 6am to 10am on WFAY. Bud & Broadway