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American Legion, VFW and other posts urge state support for aging facilities, cite safety and community roles
Summary
Leaders from American Legion posts, VFW halls and allied veteran organizations told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that many veteran posts face urgent infrastructure needs — from roofs and windows to parking lots — and asked lawmakers to consider grant, loan or matching programs to preserve community hubs.
Representatives of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and local posts told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Affairs that many veteran halls across Michigan need repairs and financial support to remain open and serve communities.
Tim Poxton, legislative chair for the American Legion Department of Michigan, said the state’s American Legion posts perform youth and community programs in addition to veteran services and urged a grant program targeted to post repairs and maintenance. Poxton described one project at his post — replacing rear windows — with contractor estimates of about $8,500.
John Miernick, speaking for the American Legion post in Utica, described a deteriorating parking lot that he said led to a slip that is now the subject of a lawsuit. He said last year’s estimate to repave the lot was about $300,000 and that his post had relied on a $30,000 SBA loan (with roughly $28,000 still owed) to stay open after COVID‑era declines in revenue. He listed a range of community services the post provides, including youth programs, food distribution and hosting partner events.
Todd Wodzinski, speaking for Clawson and Troy posts, said he and other volunteers had contributed more than $50,000 of personal funds to stabilize a failing post and described challenges replacing roofs, repairing HVAC systems and maintaining aging buildings. He said posts sometimes merge or share facilities when standalone posts close.
David Ellis, commander elect of the Bruce Post VFW in Saint Clair Shores, said his post — one of Michigan’s largest with about 800 members — faces a “cratered and unsafe” parking lot, with resurfacing estimates of roughly $200,000. He described an aging volunteer base (average member age about 70) and ongoing plumbing and electrical needs despite recent self‑help renovations and a $100,000 HVAC purchase.
Poxton, Miernick, Wodzinski and Ellis all said posts serve as community hubs: they host veterans coffee hours, blood drives, Toys for Tots, Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades, food distribution and meetings for other nonprofit groups. Witnesses emphasized fellowship and the role posts play in preventing isolation among veterans.
Poxton said the American Legion’s service officer program receives state funding (he cited roughly $4,200,000) but that most building maintenance depends on local fundraising such as fish fries and donations. Witnesses suggested several state policy options: a targeted grant program for post infrastructure, low‑interest loans, or matching funds to help posts cover large capital expenses.
Committee members thanked witnesses and said the testimony gave the subcommittee “a lot of food for thought.” No formal action was taken during the hearing on state funding for posts.
