VFW raises funds for new flags

WINSTED — More than 65 residents attended a steak dinner at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 296 on Friday, Dec. 12.

The event was sponsored by the VFW to raise money for the flags on Main Street, which have become worn and battered from inclement weather.

The tickets, which were $15 if ordered in advance and $20 at the door, included a meal of steak, sweet potatoes, green beans, tossed salad and hot rolls.

Event organizer Dennis Millard said the flags are expensive.

“We’re trying to raise money for the American flags that we hang out yearly for our veterans,” Millard said. “Hopefully we’ll raise enough money to get flags for the parks as well. We have our park flags that get beat up during the wintertime and bad weather too. A couple years ago the Girl Scouts raised money to put flags out there. We picked it up so they won’t have to do it again this year. We want to do something good for the community because it’s a veterans thing.”

Musical entertainment was provided by John McBeth.

“He sings and he plays all different styles of music,” Millard said. “I organized this event because I believe in our country, and I believe in the men and women who have served in this country. It’s for the men and women that are sacrificing their lives and it’s a symbol for our freedom from years and years ago. If anybody would like to make a donation, they’re more than welcome to make one down here at the post. We appreciate anything we can get.”

Post Commander Neil Hunt attended the dinner.

“Usually I’m cooking and helping out, but tonight we’ve got a crew to do it so I can sit down for a change,” Hunt said. “All the meals we have here are excellent. The flags being on Main Street show that Winsted is a patriotic town. The people of this town like to see flags. The last four or five years we’ve had fundraisers because the town dropped it off their budget.”

Hunt said that the VFW is the oldest veteran’s organization in the United States. 

“It started in the late 1800s after the Spanish American War and it was created to help veterans,” Hunt said. “Prior to that, veterans had no rights at all. Take World War I, they had hundreds of thousands that were wounded. The government never did anything for them. The VFW was first and foremost in getting the government to help out by giving them care and pensions. It’s improved a lot since then but it still happens now to a degree. Veterans benefits are constantly in danger of being cut.”

Veteran Donny Groman said a lot of residents in Winsted have served in wars.

“That flag means a lot to the people in this town,” Groman said. “A lot of people fought for it. I support it 100 percent. The VFW helps everybody out. If they’re in need or in distress, we’ll help them out. That’s what this VFW is all about. It’s one fantastic place where we try to raise money to help veterans. I believe that as far as the support for veterans in this town, it’s very sufficient.”