This Memorial Day, citizens nationwide will remember and honor those who have died serving their country. Memorial Day is also a time to honor those who have survived while defending America, many of whom are members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

The Tomball VFW Post 2427 has made a significant impact on the Tomball community since it’s inception in 1940.

As the post prepares to celebrate its 70^th anniversary in October, members will also reflect on their and others service to the country on Memorial Day, May 31.

Not only is the Tomball VFW run by and made up of veterans, it was also built by them.

Post 2427’s original building was built by World War I veterans in 1940. In the late 50s, World War II veterans bought a tract of land on Alice Road and built the current building that stands there now.

Franklin Stephens, Senior Vice Commander of Post 2427, said Tomball was much smaller back in the early days of the VFW and the Post covered a larger area.

“We still have members spread throughout the area,” he said.

Stephens said the post currently has around 400 members on the roster, a great many of which are WWII veterans who are not always able to participate or come to meetings because of disabilities and age.

He said most members are Vietnam veterans.

The VFW, including its auxiliaries, has 2.2 million members in approximately 8,100 Posts worldwide.

Membership in the VFW has been set by Congress and qualifications for members are governed by the Department of Defense, which states that a person must have served in harm’s way overseas to qualify to be a member.

“The VFW is unique in that…we don’t talk about our battle experiences or war experiences. We don’t have to,” Stephens said. “We know the other guy has been there, done that, but we understand pretty well what the other guy’s gone through, been through.”

Stephens said there is a misconception about what some perceive to be a frat house mentality at the VFW.

“We are a very straight-laced group of people,” he said. “We do not allow vulgar language or anything around here.”

Over the past 70 years, Post 2427 has been involved in the community through events, fundraising and providing scholarships.

Three nights a week, the VFW hosts Bingo nights, of which the organization is required to give what money is received to charities.

The Tomball Post also holds essay contests for local schools where scholarships are given as rewards, helps out needy families and holds various fundraisers.

“The greatest activity we have around here is fundraising,” Stephens said. “The demand is so high, sometimes we have to say no. We try to help members that are needy or have special needs. We don’t like to spend money on ourselves.”

The VFW is active with local Chambers of Commerce, the cities of Tomball and Magnolia, local police departments, Emergency Service Districts and many other civic and non-profit organizations in the area.

Its members are often called upon to conduct ceremonial detail, such as flag raising. They most recently took part in the ceremony for fallen Marine Cpl. Jeffrey Johnson at Hooks Airport.

Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hillegeist, who grew up in Tomball and has worked for the Chamber for 28 years, said Tomball’s VFW makes an impact on the community through giving back.

“Here in Tomball it’s not just about men and women who get together and talk about war stories, they’re very active in our community,” Hillegeist said. “They do things to give right back into the community, especially with kids and encouraging education.”

“The older I get, the more I realize the value of the men and women who served,” he added. “I’ve never seen a more generous and kindhearted spirit than those of the Tomball VFW for 30-plus years.”Stephens said the VFW is “doing everything we can to recruit new members,” namely those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We don’t expect these young people coming back to come in,” he said, citing obligations to family as a veterans’ first priority. “We’re looking at 10 years from now what they may do.”

A Memorial Day ceremony honoring those who have given their lives serving their country will take place at 10 a.m., Monday, May 31 at the Tomball Wal-Mart, located at 22605 SH 249.

For more information on Post 2427, visit their website at www.vfwpost2427.org

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