West Mifflin's Intrepid Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 doesn't have a home base, and never has in nearly 25 years of chartered existence.
“It is one of several of what are known as ‘paper posts' or ‘virtual posts,'” said Service Officer Michael P. Mauer, one of more than 100 members of the post, which is named for a World War II-era aircraft carrier.
It doesn't have its own bar or canteen, but it has meetings at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Thompson Run Athletic Association, 4901 Ball Ave., West Mifflin.
“Partly because of this, our post has been more successful here in the Mon Valley at attracting younger, more active members,” Mauer said.
Last week, at the VFW National Convention in Pittsburgh, it was designated an all-state post.
Post leaders wore white hats and lapel pins symbolic of the distinction, which has been given to fewer than 15 percent of Pennsylvania's 460 VFW posts in the past year.
“As I told the post members at the last meeting, when we put those hats on, we'll be putting them on for everybody in the post,” Past Commander Richard L. Fleischer said.
Mauer, one of approximately two dozen Post 914 members who attended the convention, said requirements to achieve the all-state honor include a long list of good works.
“(They) include supporting student scholarship programs, visiting and engaging with hospitalized veterans, and participating in fundraising to assist the VFW's network of service officers,” Mauer said.
Fleischer said the all-state status and the post's overall success are group accomplishments, achieved by active members ranging from World War II veterans to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“One of the things that attracted me to this post was that everything we do, we do to serve our fellow veterans,” said new post Commander Jake Bradich, an Iraq War veteran and VFW life member. “We stick to the core VFW programs, raise money to fund them, and are known as a group that can be counted on to serve.”
The post's service has extended to West Mifflin's annual Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
“When we turn out to sell Buddy Poppies, everybody seems to remember seeing us from somewhere else before,” Fleischer said. “They see the work we do and are eager to contribute because they know every dime is being well spent.”
Its honor guard and rifle team have been at youth league sporting and Scouting events, and have roles with West Mifflin Area High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Greater Pittsburgh Soapbox Derby.
Post 914 participates in VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen programs and has funded and awarded the Walt Kuczma scholarships in memory of the post's founder.
“Without a club, I can honestly say 100 percent of all the money we spend is spent to help veterans, their families and to support VFW programs,” post Quartermaster Gary Ruston said.
The Post 914 delegation was among approximately 10,000 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members who gathered last week at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
They heard President Obama and Gov. Tom Wolf and installed retired educator and Army veteran John A. Biedrzycki from McKees Rocks Post 418 as VFW national commander-in-chief.
Biedrzycki is the 10th Pennsylvanian to hold the position, and the first since 1971-72.
Those returning from Pittsburgh believe the all-state recognition and local convention-related activities should help make Post 914 stand out and grow.
But that won't mean a move to a permanent home.
“We're doing just fine without one,” Bradich said.
Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
