.jpg;w=960)
A former spa will soon be where area military veterans can get information about benefits and services, socialize and reminisce about their time serving our country.
“When you are with people who didn’t serve, they don’t really understand what the experience was like, they don’t even get the jokes we tell … because only somebody who has been in the military understands,” said Jesus Alcantara, who served two tours in Afghanistan while in the United States Army. “We just want to have a place where veterans can come and be with other veterans.
Alcantara is the senior vice commander of Longs Peak VFW Post 2601, which finally found its permanent home this month at 350 Lashley Street after a five year search. The VFW signed a lease that allows them to take possession of the 5,000-square-foot space on June 1.
The new headquarters will be revamped to include two meeting rooms, offices, a social area and a clearinghouse to help veterans get the latest breakdown on programs and resources they may need, Leon Bartholomay, VFW quartermaster and adjutant.
The new digs — which was a spa and hot yoga center — also includes showers where homeless vets can clean up. Veterans also can get food, clothing and access to the Veterans Community Project, which helps veterans find permanent homes.
Furniture will also be placed outside so members and visitors can just sit and talk, Bathlolomay said.
A permanent headquarters will aid the VFW in rebuilding its ranks with younger members, who in the past didn’t believe they had a place to go, Alcantara said. “So many didn’t know where to go, or had no idea of what the VFW does,” he said. “Now we have a place to show them.”
“Mostly, we want the younger members to tell us what they want from the new VFW,” said Bartholomay, who served in the Vietnam war from 1960 to 1970. “They are the ones who will take over from us. Just like we did when we took over from World War II and Korean War vets.”
Most of the 300 or so members of the VFW served in Vietnam, Bartholomay said. About six current members are women.
The VFW served area veterans at 206 S. Main St., from 1968 to 2016 before the 12,000-square-foot building was sold, Bartholomay said. The VFW at one time served as many as 800 members.
During the five-year transition to its new digs, the local post temporarily operated at several nonprofit groups who were “very generous with us,” VFW Commander Garry Wilson said. Members continue to perform as honor guards at veteran’s funerals, conducting support and community programs. “We kept doing what we always did … helping out with whatever we could,” Wilson said.
“This will be a nice spot,” Alcantara said. “Not just for combat veterans but for all veterans.”
Veterans will hand out poppy pins and small flags at various locations in Longmont from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May 29 to May 31. People’s donations will go toward a veterans’ relief fund.
- Saturday, Ace Hardware, 1727 Main St., and King Soopers, 1611 Pace St.
- Sunday, Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply and King Soopers, 2255 Main St.
- Monday, King Soopers, 995 S. Hover St., and Sam’s Club, 1200 Hover St.
The Longs Peak VFW Post 2601 will perform Memorial Day ceremonies at 9 a.m. at Stephen Day Park, 1340 Deerwood Drive; 10 a.m. at Foothills Gardens of Memory, 14241 N. 107th St., and 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, 620 11th Ave.
