Veterans need new members for VFW
Three veterans — each who fought in different wars, of different times and ages, but united in purpose — sat down recently to remember the founding of the Pea Ridge post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
They, and their comrades, fought for their country in wars overseas. When they returned, the two younger joined the VFW chartered by the elder.
The eldest of the three, Russell Walker, 95, is a veteran of World War II. The other two, Bob Hauter, 80, and Ron Simons, 63, served in Korea, although Simons was there after the war. The commander of Post 8109, Howard Schuettpelz, served in Vietnam. Other members served in Desert Storm.
Walker, his brother, Max, and several other veterans formed the Pea Ridge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8109. It was named the Wood-Hall Post in honor of three Pea Ridge men who did not come home from the “war to end all wars.”
“At the time we were coming back, there were GIs coming back in a box.
“We were alive,” Walker said.
“A friend of ours, his name was Davis, lived in Avoca and belonged to the Bentonville post. He came up here and was starting new posts. He thought Pea Ridge ought to have a post. We got together on a bench that sat in front of where feed store is now. We formed a committee. We had about 20 members, I think.”
Walker said the group elected members and met on that bench for several months, then moved into “ole Doc Greene’s office” upstairs above where City Hall is now. Then, they decided to build a post.
“Bill Woods had two sons that were killed. George Hall was killed. Mr. Woods daddy, they lived over in Seligman Hollow, sold their farm and moved here and bought property on Davis Street. That lot came all the way through ... he said if we wanted it, we could have that part of the lot. So, they donated it,” Walker said of the piece of property on North Curtis Avenue on which they built the post.
“We built it ourselves. At that time, everybody cooperated. My brother, Floyd, had a dozier, he dug out the basement. We bought chat, mixed the concrete by hand, poured the basement and floor,” Walker continued.
“We were always looking for projects to make a dollar or two. Ralph Miller had the funeral home. We used his tent (that he used at gravesides) as a concession stand to sell hamburgers at the fair and other events,” Walker said, adding that the ladies (the Ladies Auxiliary) “came up with a concoction to put on the hamburgers. It got to be famous.” But, he wouldn’t say what that concoction was.
Now, the VFW is looking at closing its doors. Hauter said the post is financially sound, but the members are getting older and not able to keep up with the work of the club.
“We need young people,” Walker said.
“They’ve (the WWII veterans) already served their time,” Simons said. “We can’t expect them to do more.”
Walker, admits to being more tired at his age. “There are times I want to throw in the towel. But I work at it (staying active).”
“We need members,” Hauter said.
“We need women,” Simons said, noting that there are women veterans as well.
“There are getting to be a lot of veterans,” Walker said. “If they could only understand how important VFW is.”
Walker explained that the VFW provides a strong lobby for veterans in Washington, D.C., and for veterans with the V.A. Hospital.
The group meets at 2 p.m. on the second Monday of the month, but is willing to change the meeting time for new members who may work during the days. Dues are $15 annually.
The Pea Ridge VFW has had a strong history, but that may soon end if there are no more members, the men said. The money raised provides scholarships for Pea Ridge High School seniors and other projects in town.
“Our money doesn’t go into the pockets of anybody,” Simons said, meaning that none of the local veterans profit from the funds raised by the group.
• Fireworks may be discharged from noon - midnight daily beginning July 1 - July 7, and from noon - 1 a.m. Dec. 31 - Jan. 1.
• Fireworks may only be discharged on private property with the property owner’s consent.
• It shall be unlawful to use fireworks on any city street or city property.
Saturday, June 30
6 p.m. — Seligman, Mo., Chamber of Commerce, will celebrate the Fourth of July at the Seligman Community building with food, games, cake walk and entertainment. There will also be fireworks at dark. Entertainment and
• It shall be unlawful to use fireworks if the city is under a burn ban.
• Any person using fireworks within the city shall promptly collect and remove any and all litter and debris resulting from such use.
• Fireworks may be sold from June 20 - July 10 and Dec. 10 - Jan. 5. fireworks show is free, but there will be a charge for food and games. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the evening. For information, call 417-662-3612.
Wednesday, July 4
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks, Pea Ridge Community Fair, Pea Ridge High School.