Key Points
- Local veterans in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, have received approval from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Pennsylvania to establish a new VFW post, aiming to resurrect the presence lost since the closure of Arden Calvert Post 167.
- The original Arden Calvert VFW Post 167 at 609 McKean Avenue closed its doors permanently on 31 December 2013 due to dwindling membership, which had dropped to just three active operators.
- Post commander Gus Caterini, from Belle Vernon, noted in 2013 that membership had plummeted from 1,800 in 1968 to negligible levels, with only seven attendees at the final meeting on 18 December 2013.
- The post, organised in 1935, thrived post-World War II with live shows and dances but struggled for over a decade, selling its banquet room about eight years prior to closure; it faced further issues including a homeless veteran’s death in 2004 and evictions from improper living quarters.
- In June 2015, the Pennsylvania VFW pulled the post’s charter after no one volunteered as commander; state adjutant John Getz stated members had “walked out” and the building was left unused.
- Richard McBurnie, an officer with Charleroi American Legion Post 22, handled sales of contents in 2015, donating proceeds to disabled or homeless veterans and seeking relatives for photographs of 50 past commanders.
- Charleroi’s closure was among 11 Pennsylvania VFW posts shuttered that year, often due to restrictive membership policies excluding Vietnam and Korean War veterans.
- The new initiative marks over a decade since the 2013 closure, with veterans now working actively to bring back a VFW presence in the Mon Valley borough.
- No specific names of the current revival group leaders are detailed in reports, but efforts focus on gaining national VFW guidance for asset handling and community support.
Charleroi (Manchester Mirror) February 19, 2026 – A dedicated group of local veterans is spearheading efforts to resurrect a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, more than a decade after the closure of the borough’s last such establishment due to dwindling membership.
Why Did the Original Charleroi VFW Post Close?
The Arden Calvert VFW Post 167, located at 609 McKean Avenue, shut its doors on 31 December 2013 following a New Year’s Eve gathering that served as a poignant farewell. As reported by staff writer John K. Raboldt of the Observer-Reporter on 27 December 2013, post commander Gus Caterini stated, “It was down to three men operating the place. Nobody’s interested.” Caterini, a Vietnam War veteran from Belle Vernon who joined in 1968 when membership stood at 1,800, highlighted the lack of participation, noting only seven people attended the final meeting on 18 December 2013 despite five newspaper advertisements seeking new members.
The post’s decline spanned over a decade. Charleroi Borough Manager Donn Henderson revealed that the organisation sold its banquet room building approximately eight years before closure, which had since been repurposed as a warehouse and a venue for punk rock bands. Earlier troubles in 2004 included the death of a 50-year-old disabled homeless veteran in a cloakroom, followed by borough code enforcers evicting individuals living in a bathroom and the kitchen. Gus Caterini added, “There was no participation at all,” underscoring the community’s waning interest.
What Led to the Charter Being Pulled in 2015?
By June 2015, the situation worsened, prompting intervention from the state level. As detailed by Observer-Reporter staff writer on 26 June 2015, Pennsylvania VFW Adjutant John Getz announced that the state organisation had pulled the charter of Arden Calvert VFW Post 167 because “nobody wanted to take over” and members had effectively “walked out.” Getz noted the building at 609 McKean Avenue sat unused, stating, “They were letting the building sit without getting back to us.”
Richard McBurnie, an officer with the nearby Charleroi American Legion Post 22, stepped in to manage the disposal of contents. He said, “We tried to keep it operating, but we weren’t getting the help we needed,” and committed to selling items with proceeds going to a disabled or homeless veterans’ organisation. McBurnie also sought relatives of up to 50 past commanders whose framed photographs adorned the hall, providing a contact number (724-489-4686) for claims. John Getz confirmed the state had no objections to sales or donations to the Charleroi Area Historical Society.
This closure mirrored a broader trend, with Getz reporting Charleroi among 11 Pennsylvania VFW posts shuttered that year, largely because many clung to World War II-era memberships. He remarked, “They didn’t want anyone else in there. They definitely kicked out the Vietnam and Korean vets.”
How Are Veterans Reviving the VFW Post in 2026?
Fast-forward to February 2026, and hope glimmers anew. According to a 19 February 2026 article in the Mon Valley Independent, titled “Veterans working to resurrect VFW post in Charleroi,” local veterans have secured approval from the VFW Department of Pennsylvania to start a new post. This follows the 2013 closure of the former Arden Calvert Post, which the Independent notes shut on 31 December 2013.
The Mon Valley Independent reports that the group is actively working to bring back a VFW presence, though specific leaders’ names were not listed in available snippets. This revival effort aligns with the VFW’s historical mission, as outlined on the VFW Department of Pennsylvania website, which emphasises welcoming current service members and advocating for veterans’ benefits. The national VFW, per its media releases, continues pushing priorities like VA disability protections and educational support for post-9/11 veterans.
What Challenges Did the Post Face Historically?
The 1935-founded post boomed after World War II with Saturday night dances and live entertainment but faltered amid generational shifts. Financial woes peaked in 2004 when punk rock concerts, which had propped up bills, ceased due to street disturbances and police involvement. Gus Caterini assumed in 2013 that Charleroi-area veterans simply lost interest, notifying the national VFW for asset disposal guidance.
John Getz in 2015 highlighted restrictive policies as a key factor in Pennsylvania closures, urging remaining members to join other posts.
Who Is Involved in the 2026 Resurrect Efforts?
While the Mon Valley Independent’s 19 February 2026 coverage confirms “a group of local veterans” obtained approval, individual names remain undisclosed in reports. Historical figures like Gus Caterini, Richard McBurnie, and John Getz provide context, with McBurnie bridging to the American Legion. The VFW Pennsylvania post roster lists nearby active posts, suggesting potential collaboration sites.
What Does This Mean for Charleroi Veterans?
This resurrection promises a renewed hub for Mon Valley veterans, filling a void since 2013. It echoes VFW’s legacy of banding together post-battles, from World War eras to modern conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. Community support will be crucial, potentially avoiding past pitfalls through inclusive membership.
The initiative underscores persistent veteran needs, amid national VFW advocacy on issues like Gulf War Syndrome compensation and 21st-century GI Bill expansions. For Charleroi, a borough long tied to veterans’ service, this could foster camaraderie and support networks.
