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March 6, 2008 issue

VFW Post 7031 in Boone To Host Live Music Benefit This Friday

Money To Be Used for Improvements To VFW Building

Story by David Brewer

Since 1946, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7031 has given High Country vets a place to come together during times of war and peace to carry out its mission: to honor the dead by helping the living. With more than 205 members, 85 Mens Auxiliary members and 60 Ladies Auxiliary members, the post, located in Boone, continues to serve the community through charitable events and annual fundraisers.

This Friday, March 7, VFW Post 7031 will open its doors to the public to raise money for renovations needed at its building located at 144 VFW Drive The benefit will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will feature live music by High Country blues masters The King Bees. Admission is $10 per person and $15 for couples.

According to Post Commander Alan Scott, the VFW’s facility was built in the mid-1960s and is beginning to show its age. Among the host of improvements members hope to make in the coming months Scott noted the immediate need of a new paint job and new windows.

“We do a lot of good for everybody, but our post is falling down around us,” said Scott. “We just need people to come out and support our veterans.”

In 2007, Post 7031 donated $10,000 to charitable causes in the High Country through fundraisers, including its annual poker run in August and dinners hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary the third Tuesday of each month.

Scott said that Post 7031 has signed up nearly 50 new members since the beginning of the year and is hoping that the numbers continue to grow. The post is ranked fourth in the state and fifth in the nation for membership in its population category.

“We’re out to support our veterans and troops and we just put the politics aside,” said Scott. “We do anything we can to help.”

For more info on Friday’s fundraiser, call VFW Post 7031 at 828-264-9570. To learn more about The King Bees, click to www.myspace.com/thekingbeesblues.