MASCOUTAH -- As 2026 begins, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7682 in Mascoutah is entering its 80th year and preparing for a significant transition that leaders say is necessary to ensure the Post's long-term survival.
The Post, located at 620 Donaphan St., announced in an open letter that it will sell its longtime facility and operate without owning real estate. The decision comes after months of financial strain and concerns about the aging building's condition.
"At the National Level, the VFW's mission is to honor the dead by helping the living," the letter states. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest and oldest organization of overseas combat veterans.
Post 7682 has been a cornerstone of Mascoutah community life since its chartering on June 22, 1946. According to the letter, the facility has hosted "chicken and beer dances of the 1950s and 1960s" as well as softball leagues that ran from the 1970s through the 1990s. The Post has supported annual events including Santa's Cottage, the Barstool Open and the South Mascoutah Jaycees Bicycle Pub Cruise.
Its members have welcomed home prisoners of war from Vietnam, hosted deployment and return ceremonies, assisted disabled veterans with benefit applications and provided support for military families. The Post honors deceased service members during Memorial Day and Veterans Day and offers scholarships through the Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy programs.
"We have worked with the Scouts supporting Eagle Scout projects and teaching our young scouts about the proper procedures for the retirement of our Nation's flag," the letter says. The Post also collaborates with the Mascoutah Improvement Association each year for the city's Homecoming celebration.
The organization plans to sell its Donaphan Street building due to rising operational costs. The building has had only one known roof replacement in 80 years, plumbing that dates back to the 1970s or 1980s and an aging HVAC system that cannot keep up with seasonal demands.
"With severely limited volunteer staff, revenue and liquidity, this course of action, heartbreaking though it may be, is the necessary step to take in order to preserve the Post Charter and continue our mission," the statement says.
The Post noted that its membership is aging. Of its 104 members, about half are over age 60, 20 percent are over 75 and one member is 95 years old. Only three members are under 40. Leadership said this trend is common in many communities.
The Post will relocate its operations to the Clarence V. Scheel American Legion Post 292 at 1414 West Main St., which already hosts AMVETS Post 161. Leaders emphasized that this is not a merger but a collaborative arrangement.
"We are all veterans. We are comrades in arms. And we support one another's organizations. We are stronger together," the letter says.
Many local veterans hold dual or even triple memberships across the VFW, American Legion and AMVETS. The organizations have already been conducting joint activities in recent years.
Along with the move, the VFW will rename itself the Staff Sergeant Henry A. Huber Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7682. Huber, a Mascoutah native and paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, served in Europe during World War II and participated in both D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
Huber donated land, materials and labor to help build the VFW facility after the war and served as the Post's first commander. His efforts also led to the creation of softball fields that benefited Mascoutah children for decades.
Leadership noted the symbolism of relocating across the street from the school district's new Veterans Field baseball and softball complex.
The Post plans to continue operations at 620 Donaphan St. until April 18, 2026. Lent Fish Fry Fridays will run from Feb. 20 through April 3, although leaders noted the fish fry program may be paused afterward due to staffing limitations.
A final farewell celebration is scheduled for April 18. The Post hopes community members will attend "for a day and evening of fun, memories, stories, and most importantly, our camaraderie with our community which we look forward to serving for many years to come."
Post Commander Jason Milner and officers including Shad McKee emphasized that the mission of serving veterans will continue regardless of location.
"The Post is the people, and the members of the Post and the Auxiliary will continue to serve and provide for our community and its veterans for many, many years to come. We are not going away. We are evolving," they wrote.