By David Avitabile
MIDDLEBURGH - The fate of the Middleburgh VFW Post 2161 is up in the air.
A meeting is scheduled for Sunday afternoon between representatives of the post, VFW District 3, and state officials that may decide on whether the post remains open.
The post has been located off of Route 30 south of Middleburgh for over 45 years and its popular breakfasts on the third Sunday of the month have been there for more than 40 years.
But all that may soon be at an end, according to post Commander Roger Becker.
A declining and aging memberships, the lack of a quartermaster and new leadership on the VFW upper levels have put the local post in danger, Mr. Becker said Wednesday.
The post may have held its last monthly breakfasts after more than 40 years on Sunday.
"We really pack them in there," Mr. Becker said. He could not give an accurate head count because "I'm the pancake maker," a job he has had for close to 40 years.
The post has been serving its popular breakfasts of pancakes, sausage, sausage gravy, home fries, applesauce, and drinks at a reasonable price for a long time, Mr. Becker said. "We don't go overboard charging people," he said, noting the $8 fee.
The decision on the breakfast and post may be out of local hands, he said. He noted that a recent meeting with Third District representatives was "heated."
"We'll try our best," Mr. Becker said.
There is new leadership at the upper levels of the VFW and new rules.
"They've never been in a foxhole listening to the bullets fly over head. It gets to you," Mr. Becker said. "A whole new regime...This has really got me."
The local post has to abide by "what they say," Mr. Becker said.
The post has been searching for members but "where are you going to going to get them? There isn't many out there any more." He added, "At this moment we can't (continue) unless we get a quartermaster. I have no idea where we can get any more members."
Several local organizations and businesses have closed up recently, Mr. Becker noted. "It's like a plague."
Mr. Becker noted that the post's "financial situation is fine."
The post has 41 members, but several old members are not active.
The meeting at 12:30pm this Sunday will be held at the Middleburgh post will include Third District and state representatives. Most of the Third District reps will be from the Capital Region.
Mr. Becker, who served his country starting in 1959 and during the Berlin Crisis, has also served the post. He helped put in septic system in and donated a septic tank, among other work and items.
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