TACOMA, Wash. — The second oldest VFW Post in the state has been facing infrastructure challenges and even had to consider selling its building as a result.
But recently, the community stepped in to help, allowing VFW Post 91 to save their building.
VFW Post 91 in Tacoma was established in 1918 and early on became known as the Wild West VFW.
“They took their own horses over to Europe to fight, and so they said, ‘Hey, you guys are kind of wild,” said Elwin Farnsworth Jr., the Commander of VFW Post 91.
The Post has been in its current building since the 1950s, and with age, problems can come.
“We got a phone call from TPU saying, 'Hey, you guys are spilling 14 gallons an hour.' So, I went and shut the water off,” said Farnsworth.
It has now been one year since the VFW Post has been without water. Due to a tight budget, the water leak being located under their concrete foundation, and an overall aging plumbing system, they didn't know the best way to get their plumbing fixed.
They lost money not being able to rent out the space for events, which is their primary source of revenue.
“That's like our breadwinner,” said Farnsworth. “That keeps the lights on.”
But in the past two weeks, their luck has changed.
Harts Services, a local plumbing company, was contacted by Farnsworth about the issues they were facing. Some employees of the company attended one of the VFW Post’s meetings to learn more about the problems and talk about options. The company felt called to help.
“That night, I started reaching out to our suppliers and see what we could do to help them out,” said Jason Fournier, the President of Harts Services. "This was a personal one for a lot of us, as I said, about 15% of our staff are veterans themselves."
Harts Services replaced the full plumbing system for VFW Post 91 at a discounted price, donating their time and having Winsupply of Puget Sound donate equipment.
Fournier is also a veteran and has seen the work VFW Posts do for the community.
“Having served myself and knowing just how much of an impact VFW’s do have on the local veteran community, it was a really important project for us,” said Fournier.
The VFW Post now hopes its history can continue in its current building for years to come.
“Well, hopefully it's another 65 years, I hope it outlives me,” said Farnsworth.
They are ready to keep serving those who have served.
“Even as a veteran, to give back to other veterans, it makes you feel good,” said Farnsworth. “You know, you can't put a price on that.”
The plumbing project is just about complete, but Farnsworth said they are still facing financial challenges and have some electrical needs that need to be addressed and other building upgrades.