Veterans groups continue to fight for rights

The halls of the Cape Girardeau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 are decorated with the memories of those who have served the country in times of combat.

Old Glory is displayed prominently -- a monument to those who have served the United States in wartime and the reasons they did so.

In the office of post commander and World War II veteran Fletcher Chasteen, a sign hangs proudly on the wall. It reminds VFW members: "It isn't the price you pay to be a member, it's the price you paid to become eligible."

The VFW is set apart from other veterans organizations in that members must have served in a combat zone, said Korean War veteran Bob Wade.

"We want to remind people of freedom and what it is we fought for," he said.

Since it was founded in 1942, Post 3838 has become known throughout the state as a very active organization, Wade said. With 1,414 members, the Cape Girardeau post of the VFW is the largest in the state.

The VFW traces its roots back to 1889, when veterans from the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection formed groups to help other vets in need. Together with its ladies auxiliary, has about 2.7 million members in 9,500 posts worldwide.

The main focus of the Cape Girardeau VFW is to assist veterans in the area, but the organization also has a strong commitment to improving life for the citizens of the community in a variety of ways.

Perryville VFW

Anyone looking for some free food this summer might contact the Perryville Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Founded in 1945, the group hosts two chicken fries and two fish fries every year, all of which draw a good crowd, said post quartermaster Richard Davis.

In the winter, the ladies auxiliary hosts monthly dances, open to all ages, at the VFW hall.

The post currently has a membership of 389 members who donate time and money to supporting the community.

The Perryville VFW donates money to a variety of organizations. These donations include $6,000 annually to the veterans home, four $1,000 scholarships for Perryville students (two from Perryville High and two from St. Vincent's) and $1,000 to the Perry County Senior Citizens' Service Center. The post also supports local Boy and Girl Scouts, the Salvation Army and the VFW National Home for Children.

The post is commanded by Perry J. Berkbigler.

Chaffee VFW

They were World War I veterans who wanted a place to come together and a purpose to share: helping Chaffee become a better place.

Thus, Chaffee VFW Post 3127 was born on Jan. 17, 1937. Mert Mirly, post commander, said his father, Fred Mirly, was a charter member who had served in World War I in the Army artillery. Now Mert Mirly, who served from 1951 to 1953 in the Army during the Korean War, enjoys meeting with fellow veterans.

"Just a few of us get together, play cards and talk about different things we went through," he said. "We open the hall here for community walking. We loan out hospital equipment -- cruches, wheelchairs, hospital beds. You don't have to be a member of the post to borrow it. We try to do what we can."

Membership has slipped from 160 to 119, Mirly said. He would like to see younger veterans, such as those from Vietnam and Desert Storm, join the group. With larger numbers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will have more leverage in fighting for government benefits. To join, call the Chaffee post at 887-4044 or Mirly's home at 887-6225.

AMVETS

AMVETS is another veterans' organization that can be found in the region, with one post in Perryville, AMVETS Post 94.

AMVETS is a national organization that, like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, exists primarily to help veterans through lobbying government for veterans' benefits, working with individual vets to get compensation and providing services for hospitalized veterans.

Post 94 also has a strong commitment to those currently serving in the U.S. military.

"We do things like barbecues in support of the troops," said post member Toby Moody. "We do anything we can for the troops."

Founded in 1978, the Perryville AMVETS has about 250 members. Nationally, AMVETS was officially chartered by Congress in 1947, and it was the first World War II veterans' organization to be recognized by Congress.

AMVETS posts take part in community service activities and donate to charities. They support youth conferences, scholarship programs, their own program to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and other community service activities.

To be eligible, one has to have served in the U.S. military since Sept. 25, 1940. Membership is also available to the wives and children of members. There are currently about 1,400 posts in the nation.

Jackson American Legion

Jackson American Legion Post 158 has been serving the community since the end of the first World War. With a membership of about 600, the legion uses its resources to make its community a better place for both veterans and non-veterans. The group also has a ladies' auxiliary chapter made up of the wives of legion members that is very active in the community.

"We do so much that it's hard for me to keep track of it all," said Bill Poe, World War II veteran and manager of the American Legion clubroom. "I'm not trying to brag, we're just really involved in so many things in the community."

Some of the community services Post 158 provides are sponsoring the Jackson Homecomers festival and the veterans home golf tournament, providing scholarships for two local high school seniors each year, sending local teens to the Boys' State leadership conference and the Highway Patrol cadet school in Jefferson City. They do much more, too.

Cape American Legion

Despite being temporarily without a home, the Louis K. Juden Post 63 of the American Legion in Cape Girardeau continues to function, serving both the community and area veterans.

The Cape Girardeau legion is currently in the process of moving its facilities from 811 Broadway to its new address at 2731 Thomas Drive. The post hopes to have the building completed by mid-November, and it is accepting donations for its building fund.

But the move hasn't stopped Post 63 from participating in a variety of programs designed to improve the lives of Cape Girardeau citizens and veterans.

"The American Legion is about supplying moral support for veterans and leadership for youth, more than anything else," said Post 63 member John Powers. "Our programs stress discipline among the youth and give them a sense of order, and that really makes a difference in the community. But the backbone of any good legion post is the ladies auxiliary."

Post 63 was founded in 1919, the same year the legion was chartered, and membership is open to any veteran who served in the armed services in a time of hostilities as designated by Congress. The legion currently has about 3 milion members, including the ladies auxiliary, in about 15,000 posts worldwide.