Moses Lake veterans group seeks members

Veterans of Foreign Wars group helps vets

GRANT COUNTY - Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) George Washington Post 24 is seeking new members.

"The whole emphasis of our post, especially, is to be of help to veterans," said Adjutant Quartermaster Ronald Laney.

Active-duty combat veterans who join the organization have their dues paid the first year, Laney said.

Laney said there are some benefits to joining the organization.

"One is the camaraderie. There's always that enjoyment. People (are there) that understand your needs, understand what you've gone through, " he said.

He noted every combat veteran will deal with issues stemming from combat during his or her life.

Laney noted the post's chaplain is active in helping veterans, including homeless veterans in Spokane.

A national program allows the organization to help soldiers in foreign countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan, receive phone cards. Each post can recommend individuals who need them, Laney said.

The organization can also help combat veterans work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs to help them receive benefits.

The post, which has been in existence since 1989, provides service to all of Grant County.

Soap Lake, Moses Lake and Mattawa's posts merged with the Quincy-based post to help maintain their groups, Laney said.

George Washington Post 24 has approximately 416 members, he said. The organization is having a problem with the number of people coming to meetings and being part of the organization - an average of six to eight people attend each meeting.

Factors limiting new membership include the number of Grant County active-duty veterans or veterans who have returned from Iraq, and the county being a large rural area, Laney said.

The organization is now looking for more members.

"There's some of us that have been carrying the ball for years," he said.

In June, Laney plans to step down from his title of adjutant quartermaster after 10 years. A three-month process to fill the position will start soon, he said.

George Washington Post 24 meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The next meeting is at Quincy City Hall. Every third month, the organization meets in Moses Lake at Benson Family Funeral Service.

For more information, call Commander Mark Owens at 509-398-6917, or Laney at 509-764-4363.