It is with a sad heart that I write this article concerning the local Enumclaw VFW Post 1949. This particular VFW has been in existence since 1934 and has been the spot of many meetings, memorials, weddings, and other events. The VFW loans this space to local organizations for their use at little or no cost just to show their support to the community.

There is now a brand new housing community that has risen up completely surrounding the VFW hall and has almost driven them out of existence. The hall rental was a major source of income for the post and now has so many restrictions placed upon it that it is not really feasible to rent any longer. You can still rent the property but you cannot have a DJ or a band any longer. Tell me honestly, who’s going to rent a hall for a wedding or other gathering with no music? It’s now to the point of possibly losing the property in the future. Neighbors complain about noise when a band or DJ plays music. We all know that the reasonable time for quiet is 10 p.m. but it seems that complaints come in long before that time. My thought is, why did you purchase a home that is located right next to a meeting hall that has been well known for rentals of gatherings with music?

The community should pull together and support the VFW, not try to drive them out of a place they have been in for many years. Many VFW’s have a fully functional bar and restaurant that draws in many members and outsiders for days and nights of dancing, entertainment, bingo, etc. This local community should be grateful that this is not the case here, although (just a thought) it would be a great source of income for the post.

It’s just a shame that the community doesn’t support this organization and continues to fight them.

Bob Valentine

Buckley

VFW 1949 Life Member (for now)