AmVets Post #1 reopens in Valley Park

By: Alex Fees

KSDK -- Members of the AmVets Post #1 held a flag-raising ceremony outside their frequently-flooded building in Valley Park, Saturday.

The ceremony comes twenty months after the facility was flooded, most recently.  The building is located on the "river" side of the new levee in Valley Park, and flooding in March of 2008 nearly destroyed it.

Then flooding last weekend nearly delayed the grand re-opening.  Members would not be deterred.  When asked why, each refers to the post's history.

Bob Deadmond said, "It was actually chartered and accepted by the government in August of 1945.  And at that time, our first member-- 0001, was Harry S Truman, captain, United States Army, retired."

That history inspires Deadmond to carry on the post's mission.

He said, "For us, it's an honor and a privilege to be able to take those people that started this post and continue on what they had in mind-- help the veterans.  And everybody here works hard to get this post going.  I mean, we have functions going year-round."

Rob Quick is AmVets Riders State President.  Quick discussed the purpose of the AmVets Foundation.

"So as these guys return," said Quick, "it gives them a place to meet people and enjoy brotherhood and that camaraderie and fellowship that they had while they were either deployed or just in the military in general.  Our aims and goals are to support those returning veterans in any way we can, whether it be getting them specific needs that they have or just giving them fellowship.  Even if they just need a ride."

But the mission of the AmVets Post #1 is apparently not contained within the walls of that building.  Organizers say in the twenty months the building was closed, the AmVets Post #1 motorcycle riders group raised $125,000 for veterans groups.

Post photographer Ben Lemons explained, while giving a tour of the new bar.

"Even though we weren't in our post," said Lemons, "we raffled off two motorcycles, and gave $30,000 in proceeds to the Fisher House.  We had bike rides, and we gave $6,000 to the amputee fund over at Jefferson Barracks.  And then to other various organizations, like Camp Hope."

Now the AmVets are working to hold a Christmas party for the family members of deployed service members.