It’s official! Hamilton’s Ronnie (Gene) Avery VFW Post 12245 approved!

We are extremely excited to share the news that the movement to form a new Hamilton VFW Post has been successful!
Just a few days before Veterans Day, local officials were notified the post had been approved at the state and national levels, with the designated number of 12245 and the dedicated name of Ronnie (Gene) Avery.
Gene was a young soldier killed in action in Vietnam shortly after arriving. Officials noted there are many other veterans from Hamilton honored in various other ways, and they thought it was a good idea to name the new post after Gene, and it would be a nice tribute to the Avery family.
Gene was a football standout at Hamilton High School, a classmate of former mayor Bob Page and many other local veterans wished to honor him.
The Avery family also includes several other local veterans, including his brother, David Avery, who will be a founding member of the new post. More information on this special veteran, his family and an upcoming dedication ceremony will be provided when the date is set.
The next meeting for the new post is tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Hamilton Police Department Auditorium.
Members will meet to go over specifics for the new post, as well as membership details. There will be official officer elections, as well.
“We encourage every member of the VFW in Marion County to be there,” said VFW Past Commander Eric Reason, who has been acting as a mentor, adviser and trainer for the Hamilton post.
“This meeting will have specific instructions on the next steps, including how to order the VFW cap. We also encourage all veterans to go onto the Hamilton VFW Facebook page for more information as it becomes available.”
Also instrumental in the formation of the new post was interim post commander Eric Oliver, who has put in six months of hard work to help move the organization forward.
“It’s been a great pleasure,” Oliver said. “It’s been a wonderful job. But I’m out of town working at least four days a week, and the job needs more time and dedication than I’m able to offer right now. I urge all area combat veterans to attend the Nov. 20 meeting. Several state officers will be present, and we’ll be officially recognized as a post.”
Congratulations to all those involved and to the veterans who put forth time and effort to help form this new post. God please bless our new VFW post and this organization which will be of benefit to veterans and many others in numerous ways.
For more information on the new post, Reason can be reached at 931-542-8292.