Cumberland County’s VFW Post marking 80 years of supporting local veterans and advocating for their benefits.
Commander Tommy Olivo said VFW has remained active over the decades by adapting to the changing needs of veterans from different generations.
“Like any veterans organization, we support the national efforts to beat the drum in Washington for veterans’ benefits,” Olivo said. “We make sure the benefits that were guaranteed to veterans are followed through on, and we also support the community through a variety of programs.”
Olivo said the post is named in honor of two Cumberland County service members who were the county’s first casualties of World War II.
“January 11, 1943, Cecil Buttram was reported missing in action in North Africa,” Olivo said. “Ten days later, Ben West Jr. gave his life in a naval plane crash, and the post was named West Buttram in their honor.”
Olivo said beyond advocacy, the post provides a sense of camaraderie and direct assistance to veterans facing difficult situations.
“There’s a huge camaraderie factor of being with brothers and sisters that you served with,” Olivo said. “When veterans call asking for help, we evaluate the situation and work with other organizations to make sure they get what they need.”
Olivo said the post works closely with other veterans groups in Cumberland County to connect veterans with services and resources.
“All the organizations in the county are linked together,” Olivo said. “If we can’t help directly, we’ll make sure that veteran gets pointed to an organization that can. The assistance has changed some over the years, but we still help veterans to whatever degree we can. Our goal has always been to support veterans and the community.”
Olivo said as the post looks ahead, leaders hope to grow membership and expand community involvement so the organization can continue its mission.
“We want to be bigger and stay active so we can keep helping veterans,” Olivo said. “That’s been the goal for eighty years, and that’s the goal going forward.”