Update on the status of Oliver Lacasse Post #808 (Claremont VFW)

Tom St.Pierre
NH VFW State Surgeon
Administrative Committee Member
To the editor,

Due to several complaints sent to state headquarters concerning the Oliver Lacasse VFW Post 808, State Commander Bill Ryan, in accordance with national and state bylaws, assigned the state investigator / chief of staff and the District 5 commander to review the records of Post 808 to include (but not limited to) the minutes of the previous monthly meetings and financial records from those same months along with any other records of the post that they may deem necessary to complete their mission and find answers. 

After review of said records the post was suspended for a period of up to 90 days due to post deficiencies and violation of the laws and usage of the organization, specifically failure to run in accordance with department bylaws as an honorable VFW Post and continuing to run the canteen as a bar, and the vacating of all post officers for not getting installed. 

Immediately thereafter an administrative committee was appointed to supervise all of the activities of the post and through education and mentorship ensure full compliance with all applicable bylaws, rules and regulations of the organization. The intent of the suspension is to get Post 808 back as an honorable VFW post and get back to helping the community, veterans and their families. 

Since the suspension took effect letters were sent out to all the post members explaining the reason for the suspension and what has to happen in order to get off suspension. Basically it comes down to getting enough members who are proud of their post to step up and make the time to get involved with the administration of the post and promote its many programs.

Fortunately several members heeded the call and a new slate of officers has been duly elected to lead this once active post. Once the financial records have been thoroughly audited the newly elected officers will be installed and the post will be able to hold meetings and get back to work. 

It sounds simple but it will take a lot of work, time and dedication to get back to where they should be and they will need the help of the full membership and community to get there. Most of us don’t think we have the time to be able to go to all the meetings and attend all the functions, but it really only requires about two hours a month! Please support your post and help our local veterans and their families especially in the next few months which are always stressful.

 

Sincerely,

Tom St.Pierre

NH VFW State Surgeon

Administrative Committee Member