KINGSTON — The Veterans of Foreign War Hall on West First Street is normally a quiet hall, modest in its exterior as well as the street where it is located.
But the hall is active and full of community spirit and energy, especially since the merger of two North End VFW groups.
In April 2002, North Kitsap Post 2463 of Poulsbo and Ray A. Weaver Post 7329 of Kingston combined to form what is now the North Kitsap-Weaver Post 2463. The new post is based out of the Kingston VFW Hall.
The North Kitsap Post 2463 was established in 1943 and the Ray A. Weaver Post 7329 was established in 1983.
The latter was named after the late charter member and Kingston resident Ray Weaver. His wife, Vi Weaver, is the current director of the Kingston Food Bank, which is located inside the building.
The two groups combined because Kingston didn’t have enough members at the time to keep the post active, said John Emrick, Commander of North Kitsap-Weaver Post 2463.
“(We) kept our original number because we were the senior post,” Emrick said, noting the group continues to use the Kingston building.
Besides being a meeting place for active and retired military, the building has been a part of the community in various ways.
Emrick said he believes the site was originally used as an ambulance garage for the local fire department. When the Post Office burned down several years ago, it was also used as a temporary mail center.
Currently, the county owns the building and rents the space to the post, which then subleases it to other groups, such as the Faith Episcopal Church and blood drive groups.
The Kingston Food Bank inside the building is not connected in any way with the VFW, said Vi Weaver.
As for post members, nearly 200 veterans use the space for their meeting every third Tuesday of the month to gather, eat and plan upcoming events.
The group is heavily involved in efforts to improve the community, including helping out with the food bank, holding blood drives, selling Buddy Poppies, planning activities for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July and replacing tattered American flags around the neighborhood.
The post also sponsors speech and essay writing contests within the school district, Emrick said. The two contests, “The Voice of Democracy” and “The Patriot’s Pen,” were established to promote America and patriotism.
The Ladies Auxiliary of Post 2463 is just as active as the veterans post, he said, as the female relatives of the veterans prepare meals for monthly meetings as well as help with the community activities.
While Post 2463 isn’t going to host a memorial ceremony this Veterans Day, members have already been participating in week-long events throughout the county, Emrick said.
Members were part of the North Kitsap High School Veterans Day assembly Nov. 5 and some will participate in the Sons of Norway Veterans Night event tonight in Poulsbo. On Nov. 11, members will meet with the North Kitsap/Poulsbo Historical Society to discuss the post’s history.
In the future, Emrick said he wants to push for more veterans and active members of the military to become involved with the group.
“We’re going to have a strong membership push this weekend,” Emrick said. Since the 2002 merger, Emrick said he has seen a noticeable difference in participation within the post, which is evident by the larger membership.
The best part of being a veteran is being able to help out and talk with other comrades, Emrick said.
“(It’s about) giving veterans the opportunity to serve other veterans, the rest of the community and the chance to enjoy the companionship of other veterans,” he said.
