Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3783
2247 Kelly St, Ramona, Ca 92065
(760)789-7888 or 789-0831
The purpose of the VFW is to support veterans and the community and to honor the
ones we have lost.
According to canteen manager Madolyn Gifford, the Ramona VFW was chartered in 1957 and has been at its present location for about ten years. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. while the Auxiliary meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Between the post and the auxiliary there are about 500 members.
This year's officers:
- Commander: Bobby Watt
- Senior Vice Commander: Norm McGee
- Junior Vice Commander: Dennis Spelts
- Quartermaster: Dale E. Smith
- Chaplain: Andy Mandichak
Auxilary officers:
- President: Marla Smith
- Senior Vice President: Rose Busang
- Junior Vice President: Doris Ward
- Treasurer: Sonya Pelnarsell
- Chaplain: Kim Mandichak
The post and auxiliary participate in a wide variety of community functions during the year. This includes organizing the annual Easter Egg Hunt and providing baskets for the needy during the holidays. One thing that is particularly associated with the VFW are the Memorial Day celebrations at Nuevo Gardens Cemetery (with 400 American flags flying) and the services held at the WWII monument on Ninth Street and at the Vietnam War monument. On Veterans Day they put flowers at the cemetery.
Once a year in April as a fund-raiser they put on the Mountain Oyster Dinner, with chicken for the chicken-hearted. This helps to fund two $500 scholarships for Ramona High School seniors.
Also in April they hold an awards celebration for local Sheriff's deputies and firefighters.
They also help the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce with putting on the band concert in June and also put on a dinner with them at Collier Park.
For the past few years the post has also organized funeral services for members who have passed on.
The VFW canteen is open to veterans and their families 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. weekdays, and until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. on weekends. On Sundays it opens at 9 a.m. and does breakfasts. Membership is open to anyone who served on foreign soil during wartime.
|
