No Tricks, Just Treats
A child dressed as the “wolf man” trick or treats after a Halloween party at the Harry Cooper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 160 in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Oct. 24, 2015. Families attending the annual children’s Halloween party were offered hotdogs and chips, were given gift certificates for winners of the children’s Halloween costume contest and made arts and crafts.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 160 members hand candy to children during a Halloween Party at the Harry Cooper VFW Post in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Oct. 24, 2015. Members of VFW Post 160 hold a Halloween Party annually for families in the local community and fundraise through raffle drawings for those in need of food during the fall holiday seasons.
Corey Bragunier shoots pool before the beginning of an American Pool Association League tournament at the Harry Cooper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 160, Oct. 22, 2015. VFW Post 160 hosts pool tournaments for the APA League on Monday and Thursday evenings weekly.
A child dressed as the “wolf man” trick or treats after a Halloween party at the Harry Cooper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 160 in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Oct. 24, 2015. Families attending the annual children’s Halloween party were offered hotdogs and chips, were given gift certificates for winners of the children’s Halloween costume contest and made arts and crafts.
GLEN BURNIE, Md. – After storing away their old service uniforms, many veterans continue to serve together and do more than share war stories and drink bottles of beer. With help from families and friends, they sacrifice their time through various fundraisers and events hosted at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 160 benefitting the Glen Burnie community.
“It’s like a big family,” said VFW Post 160 Commander James Sanchez. “It wasn’t just a bunch of old guys telling their stories over and over again.”
Founded on May 5, 1936 and relocated on June 1958, The Harry Cooper VFW Post patronizes Fleet Reserve Association Branch 212, Marine Corps League Detachment 1049 and the American Pool Association League.
With weekly charity raffles and seasonal events, the post provides cash donations toward local clinics and food donations for Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Toddlers to preteens filled the post hall on Oct. 24, when VFW members held an annual children’s Halloween Party. Halloween decorations of bats and ghosts hung around the hall as members cooked hot dogs for visitors and passed out candy to children for Trick or Treat. Kids’ costumes were also judged during a contest with winners receiving gift certificates.
“It’s very fulfilling when you actually see the results of hard work and volunteerism,” said Sanchez.
“When I have 50 kids that are excited and smiles on their faces, and happy, that’s my payment,” said Jennifer Sacks, VFW Post 160 member who organized the Halloween Party.
One of the post’s main goals is to attract younger veterans and defeat the negative stereotypes of an old people pub.
“I think the stereotype is wrong,” said Kathy Carlson, house committee chairman. “It’s definitely not just an old guys’ club… It’s a group of family members [and] a group comrades that are always there to help.”
Those interested in joining must have a campaign medal for overseas service, have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea, or have received hostile fire or imminent danger pay.
Whether serving four years or more than 20, VFW Post 160 is home to veterans of all U.S. military branches and exists to foster comradery while giving back to the community.
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