Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1716 seeks more members to avoid closure

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION) The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1716 in Watsonville is facing potential closure after members failed to attend an important meeting.

Members were expected to gather for a special meeting on August 4th to elect new board members.

"Out of 116 members, we had eight members show up," said lifelong member Paul Szemencia. "We weren't able to elect a full board for the executive board of the members to participate. We got Post Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Quartermaster, and three trustees and the chaplain.”

Every post elects new officers every year and is required to report the new officers to the district and the state.

“Any post while under suspension fails to elect the required officers may have its charter revoked,” said Szemencia."

All members received a 90 days suspension letter on July 19th notifying them of the special meeting. But due to the lack of participation in the first special meeting, a second meeting will be held next Wednesday.

“The the building, the grounds will be taken over by the state. If the building is sold, all the money goes to the state VFW," said lifelong member Barry Jennings. "We would have no place to meet.”

According to both of these members, those who join tend to be older and they say it is one of the reasons why there is a lack of participation. They’re calling on younger veterans to join and help save the post by attending the next meeting.

"I would just say, give it a try," said Jennings. "It may not be for you, just come down.1 See what it is, you know, see what it's all about."

The VFW District 12 Commander said the post is going through a normal process to elect new officers and it will not be going away.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1716 will have their second meeting on August 18th at 7 p.m.