Veterans seek help with Legion hall

One of Shawano’s most hallowed places, American Legion Post 117, has fallen on hard times and is reaching out to the community for help.

Hampered by stagnant membership and dwindling participation, Post 117 is struggling to raise money for emergency roof repairs on its Legion hall at 850 S. Lincoln St.

The roof repairs are expected to cost at least $10,000 and perhaps as much as $15,000.

The military veterans group, which has raised $2,500 so far, is hoping that local residents will lend a hand by attending a fish fry Friday and making a contribution.

Post Commander Al Boyd said it is the public’s opportunity to offer a gesture of respect and support for veterans who served the country during World War II, the Korean War and more recent conflicts.

“Everybody wants to do things for the veterans,” Boyd said. “Do something to help the veterans out.”

Goodwill donations are requested but no specific amount will be mandated for attending the fish fry, which begins at 4 p.m. at the Legion hall and continues until closing time.

The hall, which dates back to the 1950s at least, has been the site of countless special events and social occasions over the years for veterans, their families and others in the Shawano area.

Paul Hintz, commander of the Sons of the American Legion chapter at Post 117, recalled that crowds of several hundred people once turned out for Friday night smelt fries or Sunday bingo games.

“This place was packed,” Hintz said.

However, as veterans have grown older and many have passed away, the American Legion membership has stalled and resources have dwindled. Newer generations of military veterans have shown less inclination than their predecessors to get involved.

Although Post 117 has more than 200 members by most accounts, only about a dozen are regular participants at meetings and such.

So when the building’s roof fell into disrepair, post leaders were at a loss to find a way of paying for repairs.

“We’ve tried all kinds of things,” Boyd said.

Other fundraising ideas are under consideration, but organizers hope the community will respond in large numbers at Friday’s fish fry fundraiser. The event is the same day as the Shawano Community High School homecoming parade, which starts at 6 p.m. a short distance from the Legion hall.

Steve Lovelady, a Legion post member and U.S. Army veteran from the 1980s, said members are hoping to get the roof repaired before winter delivers another destructive round of freezing weather.

Lovelady said it is disheartening that a place designed to serve military veterans has fallen into disrepair.

“There are so many military veterans who deserve more,” he said.

Boyd, a Marine veteran from the Vietnam War era, said he is urging younger veterans to get involved in Post 117 and make the Legion hall their own. In other communities, he cautioned, Legion posts have grown so neglected that, in some instances, they have closed their doors.

“We don’t want to ever see that happen in Shawano,” he added. “The younger guys need to take over.”