'Never says no': Verona's Eugene Chavis helps others, himself through service to VFW

Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader
·5 min read
Eugene Chavis, front center, was recently honored for his service to the VFW.
Eugene Chavis, front center, was recently honored for his service to the VFW.

VERONA — Eugene Chavis has been part of the VFW for more than 30 years, a charter member of the Verona post and now the post commander. He's devoted his time to helping others, but the work has helped him as well.

On April 16, 82 people gathered to celebrate Chavis for the work he's done.

"That was wonderful," he said. "Some people drove four hours to get there. It's beyond anything I can express when you've got people like that."

Chavis was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina, growing up working in the peanut and tobacco fields. He attended Hertford County's CS Brown, the first high school for African-Americans in North Carolina, before enlisting in the United States Air Force following high school in 1956.

He spent time in France, England and Germany, as well as several places in the United States. Chavis also served two tours of duty in Vietnam at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His first tour was from Nov. 1966 to 1967. He returned in May 1969 and was there for another year.

"It was just part of my job," Chavis said of getting sent to Vietnam. "They're sending me there so I don't have any choice but to go."

Chavis spent 20 years in the Air Force before retiring as a staff sergeant in 1976. When he retired, he and his wife, Lillie, were living in Texas. They decided to move closer to home and Lillie had relatives in Staunton. Chavis now lives in Verona. Lillie passed away seven years ago.

A way to help others

Between his discharge from the military and his work with the VFW, Chavis was busy working and raising a family. When he decided to get involved with the VFW he became a charter member of the Verona post, serving as quartermaster for 21 years before becoming commander.

"The most amazing thing is how many people he knows, how much he served, how much people like him and his constant unwavering want to serve the veteran," said fellow VFW member Raymond Carrier. "It's just amazing to me."

The VFW's stated mission is to ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of the United States. Chavis believed in that mission.

"I felt like I was actually helping somebody," he said.

Eugene Chavis was recently honored by the Verona post of the VFW for his service to the organization.
Eugene Chavis was recently honored by the Verona post of the VFW for his service to the organization.

He works to help veterans get the health care that they need. In early April, Chavis got a call from a neighbor who needed help with medications. He didn't have a military ID card, and he didn't have the money to afford the medicines. Chavis got on the phone and started to gather information.

"He never says no," said Carrier. "He takes his own time, takes his own vehicle and lines up to take this guy to Salem (to the Veterans Health Administration hospital) to get him into the system, get his ID card, get him everything he needs and get him an appointment."

Chavis said he had to learn how to navigate the system on his own when he got out of the military.

"I got mine the hard way," Chavis said. "If I can help somebody else make it a little bit easier, that's what I am out to try to do."

A way to help himself

While the work he was doing did help others, Chavis said he was also helping himself. A lot of combat veterans, including Chavis, suffer from PTSD after their service.

"As long as they tried to keep it buried inside, it ate away," Chavis said. "Once they started talking about it, it just opens you up. The lighter the load got."

Chavis said most combat veterans will not talk to civilians about their service. They want to talk with other combat veterans and he's made himself available for those conversations. Those talks help him as much as they help others.

One day he got a call to go speak to students at Stewart Middle School in Fort Defiance about his time in Vietnam. He agreed to go, but he had no idea what he would talk about. Holding a middle schooler's attention for an hour and a half was not something he thought he could do."

It was Chavis, another Vietnam veteran and a World War II veteran. They introduced themselves and gave a short overview of what they had done in the military, then opened it up for questions.

"An hour and a half later we had to shut those kids down and send them back to the classroom," Chavis said. "Right after that they started Heroes Welcome day at Stewart. That program lasted for 20 years."

Chavis has also been in charge of the local VFW Citizenship Education program which works to stimulate interest in civic responsibility among other things.

"Eugene helped me every year at Stewart Middle School when we did our Heroes Welcome," said Linda Petzke. "He would bring veterans and my students would conduct oral histories. Best day of the year to see the respect the students demonstrated."

The now retired history teacher said Chavis dedicated his time to making sure all students had an understanding of what it means to serve their country.

"Every year we had essay winners, flags, etc. all because Eugene made it happen," Petzke said. "With Eugene, it is simple — love of country and family and proud of both."

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Verona's Eugene Chavis helps others, himself through service to VFW