Dear Editor,

I’m writing to express my deep concern for the current state of the Fairfield VFW Post #5872.
As most of you know, the Fairfield VFW has been disbanded and the building is in the process of being sold for $100,000 (give or take) to my nephew, Ponte Daniel. It’s not finalized yet, because it requires the signature of every post officer, and they have not all signed yet.
According to the VFW Bylaws, even though the sale of the building was approved by voting members (18 for and 4 against – give or take), it is required that a letter go out to each and every member notifying them of the sale so many days before the sale is final. This has NOT been done! I did NOT receive any letter, nor have many other members I know.
I find this fact very disconcerting. This is worrying me and makes me sick!
Forty years ago (in January 1972), Herman York and I, along with members we gathered who were interested in forming a local post, got a charter and started the Wilbur H. Bailey VFW Post and Ladies Auxiliary in Fairfield; and voted & installed our first set of officers.
Shortly after, we were able to secure the property and build our initial building. We held our first activity in October of that first year. A dance was held every Saturday night; and we had bingo as well. All events at that time were worked by volunteers, no paid employees.
As we continued to grow, we added on to the building, six different times, 25-square feet at a time.
Over the years, our post was lead by many different commanders, some strong, others not so much; but we were able to do many, many events that benefited our veterans and community.
Some of the activities we did were: host a yearly Christmas party with Santa, supply American flags and poles to various organizations, put up flags on Highway 84 on the holidays, buy livestock at the County Fair, give scholarships to Freestone County graduating seniors, made donations to the high school band, donate to the little league, donate to senior citizens, march in area parades, raise money for kidney transplant for Jimmy Pritchard, furnish transportation for veterans to the hospital, held parties for patients in the Marlin VA Hospital, provide escort services for patients in the hospital, host parties for clients of the Mexia State School, provided gas and food for people travelling through Fairfield, furnished rooms for veterans at local motels, provide mowing services for local cemetery, and many others!
It was LOTS of work, but also LOTS of fun!!
The current Post Commander, Roger Brookes, was voted into his office in 2013, and again in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
He has done very little events for the community, and has been planning to do away with our post from the beginning. Now he plans to have $100,000 (give or take) for the sale of the building… a building that is owned by EVERY member of the Wilbur H. Bailey post.
As Post Commander, he has control of the money that should be distributed equally among all the members, but I’m afraid he has plans to make himself a healthy profit.
I have no proof, but I’ve also heard tell that there are many items from the building that have come up missing. There are there one day, and gone the next. Where are they going? These items belong to the post, meaning the members equally.
Also, under the leadership of Roger Brookes, membership has dwindled from 220 or so, down to about 150.
Unfortunately, it seems many VFW posts are losing membership as the older Vets are dying off. These young ones just aren’t as involved as we all used to be.
There seem to be two types of VFW members… 1) What can I do for my community and VFW; and 2) What can the community and VFW do for me?
It’s so sad to see things turning out this way.
If you are a member that did not have a vote, and did not get a letter, I encourage you to write a letter to the editor has I have.
I also ask anyone else who has an opinion about the loss of this great organization to write in as well.

Thank you & God Bless!

Aubrey Childs (95 years old)
WWII Veteran, U.S. Air Force
Fairfield, Texas