As Catalina Island prepares to join the rest of the country in celebrating America’s Independence, Avalon will need to adjust a little bit, as a regular participant of its celebration has been lost.
The Avalon chapter of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post is closing its doors, in a manner of speaking. It has been a while since the Avalon VFW Post 4682 had a physical building, but the members of the Post have been a major part of the community for events and services.
Avalon Post has been a part of fundraisers, community events and services for things like Memorial Day honors and veteran burials. But due to dwindling numbers, the post is forced to close post. It can no longer meet the minimum requirements of a post, as they don’t have enough members to hold a quorum.
“We can’t even have meetings, technically,” Member Paul Thetreau said.
The VFW began back around 1899 as an advocate organization for veterans returning from recent wars and conflicts. Over the years it has advocated for the Veteran’s Administration, legislation in support of veterans and other services and recognitions.
In its heyday, the Avalon Post had as many as 40 members, according to Thetreau. But as the members got older, they slowly moved off the island, got too old to participate, or passed away. One of the Post’s traditional services was providing an Honor Guard for memorial services, and even celebrations such as the Fourth of July Parade. Their numbers have gotten so low, they can’t even field an Honor Guard at this time.
“That’s the real sad thing,” Thetreau said.
Most Posts have a building that they can use to host events, rent out to other groups and often a bar that helps raise money to sustain the promote it. But the Avalon Post lost its only structure at Casino Point, when a storm knocked it down. For a while hotels and other Avalon buildings would allow the Post members to hold meetings in their spaces, but in recent years, the group was small enough to meet at homes. It currently only has four members.
The state VFW, based on its bylaws, could not allow the Post to stay open, though they said any remaining members could join another Post if they wanted, according to Thetreau.
But the only other Posts would be on the mainland. Thetreau said he has another home in Northern California and will probably join one there, but doesn’t expect to spend too much time up there any time soon.
Post member Terry Felts said that he is disappointed and feels that the VFW organization is not giving the unique circumstances of being on an island enough consideration. He said he doubts the state VFW will be willing to send anyone over to provide services for veterans being laid to rest on Catalina.
He also noted some of the smaller contributions made by local members, including placing memorial flags for Memorial Day, which he said have sometimes been paid for by members, out of their own pockets.
“I don’t think its correct that they are taking our operations away,” Felts said.
In an emailed statement from State Adjutant/Quartermaster Rodger W. Meier, of the VFW Department of California, Meier stated that Post 4682 had been placed on suspension for violations of the VFW National Bylaws.
“While on suspension they were unable to elect the required Post officers. We have taken into consideration the uniqueness of the location, but the Post has been placed on multiple suspensions over the last four years and we don’t see the situation improving,” Meier wrote.
For now, the local members may try to contribute to local events as a private group. They are not allowed to represent the VFW anymore, but Thetreau said that they may be able to contribute as individual community members, particularly for events like Fourth of July.
“I have hope we can keep that going,” Thetreau said.
