MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12124 is receiving $25,000 in state funding arranged through state Sen. Jeff Tate to support facility improvements and enhance services for local veterans and their families.
Ed Abdella, the Commander of VFW Post 12124, said Tate contacted the organization approximately four to five months ago about providing funding to help improve the post.
The organization has already installed a concrete pad and added a side entrance, allowing veterans to access the building without having to climb stairs.
The funding will allow the organization to enhance its outdoor patio with a new covered roof and lighting, creating a more welcoming and comfortable space for veterans and their families. Additional plans include painting the building’s exterior and completing maintenance.
VFW Post 12124 has 223 members, along with their families, who could benefit from the improvements.
Beyond facility upgrades, the organization remains active in community service efforts throughout the Meridian area.
Post members recently assisted an elderly Vietnam War veteran by visiting him in the hospital and helping make his home wheelchair accessible. The veteran has since died.
The post also provides educational programs, including anger management classes. The organization is preparing for its fifth session and plans to offer a class addressing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Members also volunteer throughout the community by mowing grass for the Wesley House, distributing meals to neighborhood residents and providing food to Love’s Kitchen. The organization is also planning a neighborhood Trunk or Treat event.
Abdella said the funding is meaningful to post members because it demonstrates support for veterans at the state level. He said members regularly discuss ways to give back and make a positive impact in their community.
