HISTORY OF VFW POST 4264
BRIEF HISTORY OF VETERAN OF FOREIGN WARS POST #4264
The Veterans of Foreign Wars was established as a national veterans organization after the Spanish American War in 1899. The purpose of the organization was to promote benefits for those that had served in the United States Military on foreign soil during an armed conflict.
The Steamboat Springs Post was organized in August of 1945 and chartered as Post #4264. The Post was named after two Steamboat Springs boys killed during World War II. They were Bernard S.Shubring who was killed during the Anzio invasion of Italy and
Charles J. Cruse who died when his ship was sunk at the battle of the Coral Sea. Hence the name Shubring-Cruse Post #4264.
Post #4264 had 26 charter members and elected its first Commander, Ralph Waggoner in August of 1945. It’s first projects were a St. Patrick’s Day dance and the selling of “Buddy Poppies” during the 1946 Memorial Day Ceremony. In 1947 Post joined with the American Legion to form a mounted color guard for the 4th of July Parade. During the 1950’s the Post sponsored a marble tournament and bicycle safety, obstacle course event for the youth of the community.
In 1948, the Post purchased its present location at 924 Lincoln Ave. and converted the building into a private bar, meeting and dance hall. During the 1950’s the Post hosted many Saturday night dances for the community. Dances have continued on a not so frequent basis to the present.
The most notable community event sponsored by the VFW is the annual “Turkey Shoot” held the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This event started in 1953 and has continued to the present. The “Turkey Shoot” throughout the 1970’s consisted of bingo and the card game pitch. The event would often last well into the night with well over 100 turkeys being given away. Presently, the “Turkey Shoot” consist only of afternoon bingo games.
Throughout the years, members of the VFW have provided honor guards for funerals, have helped conduct the Memorial Day Services, and a Veterans Day Dinner. The bar is no longer private, but open the public and now hosts a very popular pool league.
The enrollment of the VFW Post is 95 members of which approximately live in other parts of the State or out of state.
The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 4264 was formed in 1946 and has continued as a strong part of the Post to the present.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars was established as a national veterans organization after the Spanish American War in 1899. The purpose of the organization was to promote benefits for those that had served in the United States Military on foreign soil during an armed conflict.
The Steamboat Springs Post was organized in August of 1945 and chartered as Post #4264. The Post was named after two Steamboat Springs boys killed during World War II. They were Bernard S.Shubring who was killed during the Anzio invasion of Italy and
Charles J. Cruse who died when his ship was sunk at the battle of the Coral Sea. Hence the name Shubring-Cruse Post #4264.
Post #4264 had 26 charter members and elected its first Commander, Ralph Waggoner in August of 1945. It’s first projects were a St. Patrick’s Day dance and the selling of “Buddy Poppies” during the 1946 Memorial Day Ceremony. In 1947 Post joined with the American Legion to form a mounted color guard for the 4th of July Parade. During the 1950’s the Post sponsored a marble tournament and bicycle safety, obstacle course event for the youth of the community.
In 1948, the Post purchased its present location at 924 Lincoln Ave. and converted the building into a private bar, meeting and dance hall. During the 1950’s the Post hosted many Saturday night dances for the community. Dances have continued on a not so frequent basis to the present.
The most notable community event sponsored by the VFW is the annual “Turkey Shoot” held the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This event started in 1953 and has continued to the present. The “Turkey Shoot” throughout the 1970’s consisted of bingo and the card game pitch. The event would often last well into the night with well over 100 turkeys being given away. Presently, the “Turkey Shoot” consist only of afternoon bingo games.
Throughout the years, members of the VFW have provided honor guards for funerals, have helped conduct the Memorial Day Services, and a Veterans Day Dinner. The bar is no longer private, but open the public and now hosts a very popular pool league.
The enrollment of the VFW Post is 95 members of which approximately live in other parts of the State or out of state.
The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 4264 was formed in 1946 and has continued as a strong part of the Post to the present.
© AM LEGION LEO HILL POST #44 / VFW POST 4264, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO. CONTACT US