How to Thank a Veteran: Have Their VFW Post Closed
I wasn't there for it on Friday, 11-11-11, Veteran's Day here in the US, but at some point during the ceremonies at the George Dilboy VFW, my post, officials apparently entered and informed the post commander that code violations (which we've been trying to fix via a new post that about 100 people in the district have so far successfully fought against) must be taken care of immediately or we face closure.
On Saturday, my bar shift, I spent the day watching masons erect a cinderblock wall in the doorway of our game room so that we can currently say that our occupancy is only 95 (the square footage of the game room was one of the issues - in theory, our occupancy could have been much larger although in practice, it never happens). No more pool tables. No more quiet space. No more cribbage area for the old timers during the weekday. So many memories in that room that I alone have are now sealed in behind a cinderblock wall.
Today, we find out if we're going to be allowed to even stay open. The state Fire Marshall (not Somerville because the vocal minority got so upset with Somerville for working with us that they went over Somerville's heads) apparently must approve interim plans (that we don't even have completed) by 15:00 hours today. If they are not submitted and approved, or if we aren't granted an extension, the post is closed as of midnight tonight.
I was counting on my shift next Saturday to get us through until next payday, especially for Thanksgiving dinner next week. I was counting on that post for a lot, to be honest. It's been the one stable feature in my life for almost a decade now. If I've been in need, I go there for help. When I've needed help navigating the veteran's bureacracies, they've been there. If I needed an apartment, that's where I went to find one. Work done for a reasonable price? I hire the guys, all of whom have a complete range of home improvement skills from roofing and flooring to electricians, plumbers, and finish work. Those men have been my brothers, uncles, families. I've celebrated holidays with them when I had no one and nowhere to go. We take care of one another, no matter how long it's been since last we may have seen each other.
And now, this: Report by Universal Hub. This article, I might add, would not have been possible where it not for ifotismeni. Enough thanks can never be said.
Ultimately, this is the result of those Not-in-My-Backyard-igans of Davis Square who have happily pushed out anyone that doesn't fit their mold of what the new Davis Square should look like...and it's been championed by Alderman Rebekah Gerwitz who has happily flouted zoning laws, the same she originally invoked to block our new post, when the cause was in support of arts.
To say that Ms. Gerwitz hates veterans isn't an understatement. At one public meeting over the proposed new post, she actually stated that "the veterans can stay in the basement" (which is where our member's area is/was? right now).
So, a belated Happy Veteran's Day to those who have and do serve. But if you live in Davis Square, know that the sentiment is not shared by your elected officials or neighbors.
On Saturday, my bar shift, I spent the day watching masons erect a cinderblock wall in the doorway of our game room so that we can currently say that our occupancy is only 95 (the square footage of the game room was one of the issues - in theory, our occupancy could have been much larger although in practice, it never happens). No more pool tables. No more quiet space. No more cribbage area for the old timers during the weekday. So many memories in that room that I alone have are now sealed in behind a cinderblock wall.
Today, we find out if we're going to be allowed to even stay open. The state Fire Marshall (not Somerville because the vocal minority got so upset with Somerville for working with us that they went over Somerville's heads) apparently must approve interim plans (that we don't even have completed) by 15:00 hours today. If they are not submitted and approved, or if we aren't granted an extension, the post is closed as of midnight tonight.
I was counting on my shift next Saturday to get us through until next payday, especially for Thanksgiving dinner next week. I was counting on that post for a lot, to be honest. It's been the one stable feature in my life for almost a decade now. If I've been in need, I go there for help. When I've needed help navigating the veteran's bureacracies, they've been there. If I needed an apartment, that's where I went to find one. Work done for a reasonable price? I hire the guys, all of whom have a complete range of home improvement skills from roofing and flooring to electricians, plumbers, and finish work. Those men have been my brothers, uncles, families. I've celebrated holidays with them when I had no one and nowhere to go. We take care of one another, no matter how long it's been since last we may have seen each other.
And now, this: Report by Universal Hub. This article, I might add, would not have been possible where it not for ifotismeni. Enough thanks can never be said.
Ultimately, this is the result of those Not-in-My-Backyard-igans of Davis Square who have happily pushed out anyone that doesn't fit their mold of what the new Davis Square should look like...and it's been championed by Alderman Rebekah Gerwitz who has happily flouted zoning laws, the same she originally invoked to block our new post, when the cause was in support of arts.
To say that Ms. Gerwitz hates veterans isn't an understatement. At one public meeting over the proposed new post, she actually stated that "the veterans can stay in the basement" (which is where our member's area is/was? right now).
So, a belated Happy Veteran's Day to those who have and do serve. But if you live in Davis Square, know that the sentiment is not shared by your elected officials or neighbors.