WILLIAMSBURG — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Blacknall Chess Post 4639 in Williamsburg is a place where veterans come together to help other veterans in the community as well as talk about their shared experiences and interests.
Made up of approximately 280 members, the post holds events each year for Veterans Day to involve the community in honoring veterans.
“We’re always looking for ways to connect with the community, support the veterans in the community and let them know what our mission is,” Glenda Indyck, commander of the Williamsburg post, said.
For Veterans Day this year, the VFW Blacknall Chess Post 4639, 106 Jesters Ln, will hold a number of events for veterans and the community.
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 8 a.m., the post will place around 1,800 flags at the Williamsburg Memorial Park Cemetery, 130 King William Dr.
At 11 a.m., the post will present Commonwealth Senior Living of Williamsburg with a new outdoor flag to display, and give individual flags to the resident veterans.
On Thursday, Nov. 11, the post will hold a breakfast for members, auxiliary, veterans, their families and guests from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The first 50 veterans will eat free.
From 10:30 to 10:50 a.m., the Veterans Day Ceremony, typically held at the Bell Tower, will be held at the post.
From 11 a.m. to noon, there will be a Peninsula Patriots presentation at the post. The Peninsula Patriots honors combat veterans with quilts. 10 local veterans will receive quilts, including members of the post.
From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a blood drive in the post’s multipurpose room by registration only.
There will also be a poppy distribution during the day at the blood drive, and a recruiting event at the post entrance.
From 6 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Veterans Day dinner at the post with a continued Buddy Poppy display, recruiting outreach efforts and Patriotic songs provided live by a local artist.
On Friday, Nov. 12, there will be a dinner and book signing by retired Army LTC Daniel Gade at 6 p.m.
Poppies will also be distributed at the two Williamsburg Ace Hardware locations, John Tyler Parkway and Monticello, from Nov. 11-14.
Indyck said that it is important to make the community aware of VFW’s mission to keep the organization going strong.
“The Williamsburg VFW is an all-volunteer organization, and it is events like this that enable the community to know who we are and what we do,” she said. “This is important so that the VFW will be here for younger and future veterans.”
In addition to supporting veterans and family members in peril and advocating for veterans issues, VFW supports the local community throughout the year through student scholarship programs, teacher of the year awards and first responder recognition.
In addition to its 280 members, the Williamsburg post also has a 40-person auxiliary that supports the organization, its members and the community. The auxiliary is comprised of people who have a direct connection to a VFW veteran.
