Established in 1946, we support community activities not only in Laguna Beach but also in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel. In 1946 The Post was established in Laguna Beach to meet the needs of veterans returning from service in WW11. Because these other communities had not yet been organized and incorporated, posts were not organized in any of them; essentially, they did not then really exist. To establish a post now in any of those communities would be unfeasible – young Afghanistan/Iraq returnees, anxious to get on with their lives, do not seem interested in joining this kind of organization.
They should be. We do not sit around swigging beer and sharing war stories. We are an active, reliable, valuable resource for information and assistance on veterans’ benefits, we visit and entertain veterans at Long Beach Hospital, assist immobile veterans with transportation, conduct “we were there” seminars for students, and participate in various patriotic events (like Memorial Day). Several of our members are mentors at the Combat Veterans Court in Santa Ana where we encourage and guide veterans as they rehabilitate and recover their lives after a conviction. We are an important veterans and, supporting community events when called upon, community service organization. We even sponsor a Little League team (and have been doing so for some 60-years).
Unfortunately, however, to put it succinctly, we are getting old and as a result our membership is declining. We need young, active veterans (you must have served overseas in a hostile combat area), interested in helping fellow veterans and their communities, to join the post and, ultimately, assume leadership.
If you meet the VFW’s criteria and wish to help veterans, please call me at
(949) 643-5534. We would sure like to meet with you. Also, please visit our website at vfw5868.org.
We need you!
Arnie Silverman
Commander, VFW Post 5868
