The Lyle Russel VFW Post 1210 has had a busy 2024 that includes merging with another post and moving again, this time to the old Extreme Sandbox building that is now part of the United Heroes League …
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The Lyle Russel VFW Post 1210 has had a busy 2024 that includes merging with another post and moving again, this time to the old Extreme Sandbox building that is now part of the United Heroes League campus. The merge brought over 350 existing members from South St. Paul to Hastings and the move gives the VFW access to potential new members in the form of soldiers that train on the UHL properties.
The consolidation became official in June of this year with the South St. Paul club disbanding after the members transferred to Hastings. The South St. Paul club was not nearly as active in the community as the Hastings club is. Hastings has a rich history of financially supporting a number of other organizations around town including over 1,000 dollars to graduating seniors in the form of scholarships. Hastings’ biggest volunteer efforts are supporting military families during the funeral of any military family members in Hastings.
Bringing South St. Paul to Hastings has taken their membership to over 500, but that is not enough according to Jim Murtaugh.
“We still need to get the younger Veterans to join us, especially the women Veterans,” he said.
The VFW is not an “old boys club” of old, the nationwide organization is making a big push for all Veterans to join and enjoy the benefits of a 125-year-old national club. Some of the benefits of being in the VFW is the legislative support that happens at the nation’s capital. The VFW advocates for assistance around the nation with things like transition assistance for when Veterans transition from military to civilian life, disability assistance, healthcare, and a plethora of other things important to those who served. They also help locally with connecting the right experts with their club members.
“Imagine going to Washington D.C. and talking about our two million members vs 900,000 or 1.5 million members,” said Club President Mark Gelhar. “It is vital that our younger Veterans join now because those larger nationwide club numbers mean something to the folks in Washington.”
Shane Hudella, President of United Heroes League, had an idea to make the VFW offices part of the UHL campus once he built the new main building, but the acquisition of the Extreme Sandbox property and building accelerated the opportunity to invite them out.
“He had his plan for once the new building went up three, four years from now. But then, when all this happened, said, ‘I can make room for you now if you want to come down.’ So, we discussed it, we voted on it, and thankfully, Quality One Woodwork moved us. They gave us a truck and manpower because, obviously we can't move ourselves. So, we appreciate their help, because they did a really good job getting this down here quickly and everything went smooth,” added Gelhar.
Now that the move is complete and with membership drive that is continually going, the VFW and the Hastings community have a few events coming up that the public can enjoy.
The River Valley Band is hosting their annual Veterans Day Concert at the Hastings Middle School Auditorium on November 10 at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free thanks to the Doffing Charitable Fund but they are accepting free will donations for the band and they are collecting non-perishable food items at the door for Hastings Family Service.
Following the concert on November 10, there will be an open house at the new location of the VFW from 2 to 6 p.m. The new location is at 1901 Glendale Road in Hastings, the old Extreme Sandbox location.
The annual VFW / Legion Veterans Day Dinner is scheduled for November 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Second Street Depot. Tickets for that event are available at the legion, VFW and Depot for $20.
Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel is hosting a veterans celebration luncheon on November 15 at 11:30 a.m. They are bringing in a Veterans Service Officer to educate Veterans on the benefits available for all Veterans. They are asking that those interested in attending RSVP by November 12 at 651-437-9419.
If you are a Veteran and wish to become a member of the Hastings VFW, visit vfw.org or call 651-437-8231.