VFW post in search of new home
Feb. 28—Since its establishment in the Laurel community, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 3302 has been a familiar spot off KY 192.
But now the facility is being forced to relocate — with no funds and no place to call home.
Dustin Barnett, the Commander of the London Post, was busy with other members over the weekend, moving out the equipment from the building that has hosted events and assistance to veterans and their families for many years. The reason for the move came after a chain of events that left the VFW basically penniless.
"A former Commander sold the property and the new property owner wants to use it for a treatment center," Barnett said. "We have to be out by the end of this month, so basically, we're homeless."
The former Commander was Amel Shannon Bubnick of Somerset, who was later indicted and pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking over $10,000, for pocketing money from the post. He was sentenced to 10 years of probation last August.
The VFW members were unaware of the property's sale or Bubnick's actions until a check was returned for insufficient funds. That launched an investigation, with some shocking revelations to the members.
"He had to pay restitution back to the VFW for $51,662 plus $2,500 that he paid on the day he was sentenced," Barnett explained. "The property was sold but all we can find accounts for is just over $53,000 of at least $80,000."
Barnett said he had examined the paperwork regarding the sale of the property.
"He (Bubnick) didn't follow the by-laws (of VFW) by having it approved by the members, but the papers I've seen are legitimate," he said. "There's nothing we can do. Our fate was sealed."
Now the organization must begin again in a yet unknown location and through fundraising efforts.
Barnett said the organization has purchased a storage unit — with him donating some funds from his own pocket — to store their equipment until they can find a new home.
"We've talked to other veteran organizations and we do have a place where we can hold our meetings," he said. "But we'll have to change our times because that organization has their meetings the same time on Mondays that we always did."
The VFW is one of several local organizations that focus on assisting veterans and their families through two VSOs (veteran service officers) who help veterans in applying for and appealing claims with the Veterans Administration (VA). They also provide relief funds for veterans and their families with utilities or other needs, including gifts and food for Christmas baskets in partnership with other local organizations.
"Last year we touched base with other veteran organizations. In the past, everybody just did their own thing and worked separately," Barnett said. "We have several veteran organizations here — the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. All of them offer assistance to veterans with the VA."
Through that partnership, more veterans can receive the help they need, he added.
"The VFW is probably the hardest organization for eligibility because you have to be a combat veteran — having served in the country in an area where you qualified for hazardous duty or were in imminent danger," Barnett said.
But the latest events that has left the local organization homeless thwarted many of their plans, such as establishing an auxiliary for veterans' family members. It also places them in the predicament of fundraising in order to find a new location and continuing their programs.
"We used every dime we had to get the storage unit," Barnett said. "We looked at renting one but by the time you added it up, we'd be paying more for a unit over time than to buy one outright."
Donations to assist in their efforts are welcomed and can be sent to: VFW Post 3302, P.O. Box 3342, London, KY 40743.
