New vets breathe life into old VFW post

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Iraq veteran Garry Crum and a brigade of volunteers continue digging a historic VFW post out of the scrap heap to serve a new generation of veterans.

“They need a place to go when they come home,” Crum said, as he prepared for a Memorial Day fundraiser at Warwick Mall. “This post will be it.”

Crum, a Marine who served two tours, spearheaded the renovation project starting early last year after the VFW agreed to turn over ownership of the Sylvester S. Payne Post to Crum’s new VFW Post 12095. Payne was killed in France during World War I. The new post will be named for local Marine David Forgue who died after returning home from battle.

“We're here for veterans of any war really but we want to be there for the younger veterans because we have a bond with them.”

• Read Bob Kerr's piece on VFW Post 12095

Donated building materials and volunteered skilled labor, including plumbers and electricians, have helped transform the Dexter Street building from eyesore a freshly painted red, white and blue post.

“We’re about 80 percent done,” added Crum.

The goal is to finish the handicapped-accessible downstairs bathroom, renovate the kitchen and re-pave and fence the parking lot for a summertime opening.

Looking on from behind the bar, from inside somewhat dusty picture frames, are the young faces of the first veterans who came to the post when it opened after World War I.

“This place hasn't had any love for years,” Crum said. “And for us to come in, I think they're looking down on us and giving us a thumbs up.”

The project has taken longer than Crum expected and included an odd discovery in the basement. Even this battle-tested Marine was shaken when he found a mortar shell under the dust, dirt and debris. Crum immediately thought of the children in the daycare across the street.

“I was really scared. All I pictured was a bomb squad telling them to evacuate the school,” he said.

The toil and the organization of the various teams of volunteers have been more than worth it for Crum who knows how important a place like the Sylvester S. Payne Post was and how important the David Forgue Post will be.

“Being attacked, losing a loved one, a fellow brother. There's no one that understands the coping mechanisms or the thought process like other marines and soldiers.”

Crum can be reached on the Forgue Post bloc.