By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Westborough – Just off the Westborough rotary, at 9A Milk St., is a small building that is home to the town's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9013. The building, which the VFW has used for over 50 years, is only about 60 by 80 feet, and is poorly insulated, making it chilly in winter and warm in summer. Although a wheelchair can fit through the building's entrances, the bathrooms are not handicapped-accessible. Inside there is only room for a few tables and a bar for patrons.
Nevertheless, it is a place where the town's approximately 180 veterans and their family members are always made to feel welcome. But the building, the post's Quartermaster George A. Perry III, who is also the town's veterans agent and director of Veterans Services, said, has “outlived its use.”
So Perry, along with other post leaders, have decided to embark on a campaign that they hope will raise funds that can be used to either renovate the current building or perhaps someday, build a new post. As such, they are inviting the public to join them in their first fundraising event, an Annual Golf Classic, which will be held at the Highfields Golf and Country Club in Grafton Monday, May 14.
“Ideally, we would like to build a new building,” Perry said. “But we know that is expensive and a lengthy procedure. So depending on how things go, we may just renovate this building.”
Edward Donnelly is the post's commander.
“This is a place where [veterans] can come and talk to someone who knows what they have been through and what they are still going through,” he said. “It's important for them to know they are not alone.”
The VFW also serves as a resource for family members who need help when a loved one is deployed, according to the men.
But it's not all serious business. Although they don's have a kitchen on the premises, there is a bar and light snacks for purchase. Members also get together to watch big sporting events or play cards on occasion.
Denny Drewry, a junior post commander (as well as a Westborough selectman) said the VFW leaders are excited about the upcoming golf tournament.
“It's really a great deal – for $100 you get to play 18 holes on a beautiful new course, and get a great meal,” he said. “There will also be raffles and prizes from local businesses.”
“It will be played “Florida Style,” so it doesn's matter how well or not that you play,” he added.
Highfields’ management had been “very generous,” he noted, in helping the VFW set up the tournament.
“We's really like to encourage local businesses to donate, if they can, to our raffle, with gift certificates or items,” he said. “It's a great way to show support for the town's veterans.”
“We know this is a big project,” Perry said. “So this is just the first step in our fundraising. If we had a new building someday, there are so many possibilities. We could have a real kitchen and rent out space to other groups.”
But it was important to note, he said, “that this project is not for us – it's for future veterans. We want to make sure that they will always have a place that they can come to, get support and heal.”
For more information on playing in the tournament or to donate to the raffle, call 508-393-9711 to leave a voice mail or call the VFW at 508-366-5196. Applications may also be picked up at the post.
