Veterans organizations have long provided a meeting place for former military personnel to gather, share life experiences and help other veterans as well as various charity groups.
There are four such organizations in the Poplar Bluff, AMVETS, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans.
The following provides information about each group:
Brown Mabry American Legion Post 153
Officers:
1st Vice Commander Dan Self
2nd Vice Commander Richard Deason
Adjutant Bill Murphy
Finance Officer Ed Ervin
Chaplain Mitch Dugger
Historian Carolyn Long
Service Officer Joe Taylor
Sgt. at Arms Dave Hill
Auxiliary
President Anette Wills
1st Vice President Kaye Sparkman
2nd Vice President Lorey Gholson
Secretary Sherry Brame
Treasurer Anita Guard
Historian Betty Gilmore
Chaplain Lilly Sexton
Sgt. of Arms Linda Osborn
The post also sponsors a Sons of the American Legion chapter for men that didn't serve, but whose fathers did. Their officers are:
Commander Larry Evans
1st Vice Commander Brian Smith
2nd Vice Commander Danny Rhodes
Chaplain Scott Snodgrass
Adjutant/Finance Officer Brian Smith
Sgt. of Arms John Sexton
The group meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Its dues are $35 per year. To join come by the post and speak with any member and they can provide an application form. A copy of the applicant's DD214 must be provided.
The post was started in 1924 and has about 280 members.
The legion sponsors the Southeast Missouri Honor Guard (see related story) and has Bingo at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday.
The group helps veterans in need (it recently gave $1,500 to help a WWII veteran rebuild his house after a large tree fell caving in a big part of it), supports local charities such as Haven House and national charities, such as St. Jude's. It has had yearly feeds for police and firemen and, in conjunction with other veterans organizations, participats in all veterans ceremonies, as well as Wreaths Across America that places wreaths on veterans graves.
It is located at 2320 Kanell Blvd., phone 785-5051.
AMVETS Francis C. Boyer Memorial Post 29
Officers
Commander Richard Deason
1st Vice Commander Max Patterson
2nd Vice Commander Ray Batton
3rd Vice Commander Kelly Williams
Adjutant John Uebelein
Finance Officer Carl Arnold
Welfare Officer Jim Fischer
Chaplain Kelly Williams
Judge Advocate Max Patterson
Bingo Chairman Richard Deason (replacing the late Dale Gaebler)
Auxiliary
President Linda Anderson
Secretary Pat Danner
Treasurer Wanda Gaebler
Membership Chairman Eva Stucker
Chaplain & Hospital Chairman Carol Stucker
Americanism Wanda Gaebler & Linda Anderson
Scholarship Chairman Linda Anderson
Community Service Chairman Patsy Phelan
Child Welfare Chairman Maxine Hendrickson
The group meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month and has about 195 members. Annual dues are $25. Any honorably discharged veteran can join by calling the club at 686-8837 during its meeting hours or each Friday during Bingo.
The group hosts Bingo (doors open at 4 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.) every Friday. It donates to various organizations throughout the community (most recently Red Cross and flood relief), it cooks BBQ butts to raise funds for veterans in need and will host a meat shoot Oct. 21-22 at its post.
It is located at 115 E. Harper St., phone 686-8837 (but it is not regularly manned).
Poplar Bluff Memorial VFW Post 6477
Officers
Commander John Holland
Senior Vice Commander Warren Kerber
Junior Vice Commander Jesse Morgan
Quartermaster Alvie Baucom
Adjutant Doug Wujcik
Chaplain Tom Neal
Judge Advocate Arthur Baucom
Surgeon Wesley Fish
Service Officer Chris Luecke
Officer of the Day Larry Thompson
Auxiliary
President Melanie Ballentine
Senior Vice President Melba Jean McCoy
Junior Vice President Debbie Kincy
Treasurer Jane Arnold
Conductress Lillian Bell
Chaplain Tara Baucom
Guard Pam DeLuna
Secretary Betty Gilmore
The group meets the third Monday of each month, starting with a meal at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. It has about 160 members and dues are $35 per year. It is open to any veteran who has served in a combat zone. To join persons can contact the post commander at 686-6711 or attend a meeting.
Bingo, which is played every Saturday starting at 6 p.m., is its sole fundraiser.
It has two youth projects. One, the Patriotic Pen essay is open for 6 through 8th graders. The other, The Voice of Democracy is open to high schoolers. The winners can advance to district, state and national.
The auxiliary sponsors a patriotic art contest.
It also hosts a teacher of the year contest for instructors K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
In December it holds a banquet for its essay, art and teacher winners.
On the third Friday of each month it has a Feed the Vets program that brings veterans who are full-time patients at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center to the club to eat and play Bingo. It sponsors park department soccer and baseball teams as well as a 9-under travelling baseball team. It also gives out treats during Halloween.
The VFW post is located at 420 Maple St., phone 778-9462 (not regularly manned).
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1056
Officers
President Larry Kimbrow
Vice President Gary Melton
Treasurer Bardis Dismuke
Secretary John Cox
The group has 66 members and meets the second Thursday of each month. Meal is served at 11:30 and the meeting starts at noon. Dues are $20 yearly or $100 lifetime. To join attend a meeting or call 573-776-3496.
Members do not have to have served in Vietnam, just during the Vietnam era. There is also a support group for spouses and those who want to support Vietnam veterans.
The chapter covers Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. The next closest chapters are in St. Louis and Springfield. Founding member Dismuke helped get the chapter started in 2010. The national organization received a congressional charter in 1970.
The group works with homeless veterans through the VA. When veterans in need come through town they try to provide them with money for food and gasoline.
They have booths at various outreach events and help with the annual Valentines for Veterans concert held here.
The chapter's major project, Welcome Home, occurs the last Friday in March. It celebrates the last combat troops leaving Vietnam and recognizes the veterans by service. It also honors those left behind with a bell ceremony. Persons wanting to add a name to that list can call 573-776-3496.
It also sponsors the Student Veterans Association of Three Rivers College. The college also supports this group and gives them a place to meet.
On the first Sundays of the month it serves ice cream to veterans on the fourth floor of the VA hospital here.
The chapter is housed downstairs in the law office of Janet Brown at 502 Vine St.