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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 21, 2003 John Ferch, an Army Air Corps veteran, talks with Ray Georgopolos, a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, at the newly reopened Veterans of Foreign Wars post in downtown Medford. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Medford VFW back open All-volunteer staff wants to get the word out that after its temporary closure, members are welcome again By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Several times a week, Mike Roper heads out on an important mission. The septuagenarian grabs his walker to head to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Crater Lake Post 1833 in downtown Medford. "He walks a little over a mile to come in here to volunteer — to clean the rest rooms,’’ said post commander Keith Newcomb, 58, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam. "He insists on being able to make that contribution." The volunteer effort by the World War II-era veteran reflects why the post, temporarily closed last summer after it went into the red, is back in the black, Newcomb said. "The list is long of the people who have made contributions," Newcomb said. "There is a lot of generosity and love for our post. That’s where it comes from." The post, chartered in the early 1930s and at its present location since 1947, reopened last fall with an all-volunteer staff. The Rodda Paint company donated more than $500 in materials to allow the veteran volunteers to roll up their sleeves and paint much of the interior. The People’s Bank of Commerce also gave the post a loan. "All of our debts are paid — we’re on a sound financial footing now," Newcomb said. "But a lot of people don’t know we’ve reopened," he added. "We’re still trying to get the word out to everyone." As one way to get the word out, the volunteers plan a special opening beginning at noon for Sunday’s Super Bowl. The post is normally open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays. Longtime post members will find a few changes. Bingo went the way of the post’s 10 paid employees. Both were too expensive to keep, Newcomb explained. Yet much about the Medford landmark at 42 N. Front St. remains unchanged. Veterans can get together to shoot a game of pool or the breeze. Or they can nurse a cold drink while listening to the juke box. Smoking is still allowed, albeit restricted to the lounge. "This has absolutely been a labor of love for us," said Jim Hanley, 79, a veteran of the Army Air Corps who retired from the Air Force as a warrant officer. The former turret gunner aboard B-17 bombers during World War II has been a member of the post since 1974. John Ferch, 79, another Army Air Corps veteran, agreed. "For me, the VFW has always meant a place to come and lend my shoulder to the wheel to help other veterans have a little better break in life," he said. "There are so many veterans who need a little help." Ferch, who was wounded by shrapnel at the Battle of the Bulge, put his shoulder to the wheel by helping with remodeling projects at the post. For volunteer lounge manager and bartender Kari Palmeroy, the post and its members are family. Her father was a member of the post; her mother a member of the VFW Auxiliary and former lounge manager. A former paid staffer, Palmeroy continues the work as a volunteer. "This is more than just a job," she said as she looked at the veterans. "It’s about these guys." One of the guys is World War II veteran Ray Georgopolos, 76, who was working on a can of Coors Light and a cigarette at the end of the bar. A veteran of both the Navy and the Marine Corps, he is happy to see the post back in operation. "This has always been a good place to come to," Georgopolos said. "They’ve always been good to us here." That’s the mission of the post, Newcomb reiterated. "We provide a place for veterans to come and share a comradeship and understanding with others who have served," he said. "That comradeship isn’t present in the wider community. "We have a lot of older veterans who live by themselves in the downtown area," he added. "We want to make sure they have a place to come, to make sure they are OK." Although the club is not open to the public, all members of the VFW are welcome. Membership criteria require that members have earned a ribbon or campaign medal during overseas duty. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S