Dejana Foundation Funds Renovation on VFW Hall in Port Washington

This article was posted by Adina Genn. It was written by Debbie Greco Cohen.
For more than 80 years, the Port Washington Veterans of Foreign War of the United States (VFW) Henderson-Marino Post 1819 has been as a place where comrades who served in one or more foreign wars over the decades gather to relate their war experiences, enjoy the camaraderie of their peers, or just relax with friends.

The Post was named in honor of two local soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Germans during World War I: Pvt John Michael Marino and Pvt William E. Henderson. Comrades who served in any foreign war in which the United States has been engaged have always been welcomed.

For decades, the VFW Post has had a home at 29 Mohegan Avenue in Manhasset Isle. Its members, along with their friends and families have participated in many events there. However, over the years, the facility needed renovating. So, the Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation stepped in with two generous donations to help with these renovations.

“It is an honor and a privilege to help make the VFW Hall more enjoyable for its members,” said Jim Avena, Dejana Foundation Grant Administrator. “It is extremely rewarding to know that our donation will help so many deserving veterans be more comfortable when they spend time at the VFW Hall with their comrades.”

A 2012 Dejana Foundation donation of $6,000 began the VFW's building fund. Since many additional renovations are needed to bring the building to the level of comfort and completion our military veterans truly deserve, the foundation donated an additional $20,000 earlier this spring. Thanks to these generous grants, further renovations can begin soon.

“We are so thankful to the Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation for their generosity and support,” said Post Commander John Chalker, who served two tours of duty in Iraq as a sergeant. “All of our members enjoy the time they spend at our VFW Hall. The renovations the Dejana Foundation is helping with make this place an even greater pleasure.”

Just a few examples of how the VFW Marino-Henderson Post 1819 serves its members as well as the entire Port Washington community are: organizing our Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day services; offering scholarships; speaking at schools and churches regarding serving the United States; assisting veterans and their widows and orphans in any way possible.  Post 1819 also provided support services for the Village of Manorhaven immediately following Superstorm Sandy. The Village presented the Post with an award to thank them for their help.

Veterans of foreign war who are interested in joining the Henderson-Marino Post 1819, or those would like to help the organization in any way, including making a donation to the building fund, can visit portwashingtonvfw.org, call 516-767-1552, or send an email to chalk69th@yahoo.com.