Westfield veterans invited to Oct. 21 information meeting

Westfield-area veterans are invited to an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Westfield Washington Public Library, 17400 Westfield Blvd., to discuss the possibility of rebuilding an organized veterans’ presence in the community.

The effort has been led by Westfield veteran Dan Kolzow, who has spent the past several months reaching out to local veterans, gathering survey responses and exploring whether there is enough interest to establish a new American Legion presence in Westfield.

Westfield once had both American Legion and VFW posts, but neither organization currently maintains an active post in the city. With Westfield’s continued growth, Kolzow believes it is worth asking whether today’s veterans would support something new.

The emphasis is on a clean slate.

Any new American Legion post would still follow the traditions and structure of the national organization, but the goal would not be to simply recreate the stereotypical veterans post of the past. Instead, the hope is to build something welcoming to veterans of all generations, their families, and the broader community.

Representatives of the American Legion are expected to attend the Oct. 21 meeting to explain how a new post is formed, what membership involves and what support is available to a developing organization.

The meeting will also include results from a Westfield-area veterans survey and a brief look at a longer-term vision for a Westfield Veterans Center. A permanent facility remains a future possibility and is not necessary for a veterans’ organization to begin meeting, growing, and serving the community.

Veterans from all branches and eras of service are welcome. Membership in an existing veterans’ organization is not required.

Veterans interested in learning more are encouraged to attend and be part of the conversation.