Veterans of Foreign Wars in Plains

photos & story by John Crepeau

"Many people believe that the VFW

is just a bar where veterans drink and reminisce," said VFW quartermaster Joe Eisenbrandt. "We are constantly thinking about the community."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3596 houses a bar, casino, Plain's largest dance floor and banquet hall and its only bowling alley. A fire in 1977 destroyed the previous building allowing VFW members to expand community service and continue support for veterans.

Eisenbrandt is essentially the treasurer for the post, being the go between the bar and bowling managers and reporting weekly to the state gaming commission. He works 3 to 4 days of the week for several hours each day, while also performing the duties as Plains city court judge. Eisenbrandt served in the Navy from 1961 to 1966 and operated a landing craft at the first amphibious landing at Danang of the Vietnam War.

Gaming machines, liquor sales, bowling and banquet hall rentals are operated as non-profit with the money going into the town or operating costs for the facility. The Plains school system annually receives between $5,000 and $10,000 from the VFW for scholarships, athletics or other school needs. The post made a $50,000 donation to the Plains hospital for improvements and equipment.

The VFW's mission is to remember sacrifices, promote patriotism, perform community service and advocate for a strong national defense. The VFW was chartered by congress in 1939. In 1899 the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines were organized to secure rights and benefits for veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippines War. These two organizations joined in 1914 creating the VFW.

The majority of Post 3569 members are veterans of the Vietnam War with a number of Korean War veterans a few from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and two members from World War II.

Leo Rembur is one of the World War II veterans and has been a member of the post for 35 years. Rembur manned guns on merchant marine ships in the South Pacific and North Atlantic. "I remember seeing many ships leaning in the water and burning," said Rembur referring to the aftermath of German U-Boat attacks.

Registered members total 244. Most of these are at-large members, who have registered in Plains, but most do not live in the town itself. Members-at-large do not belong to a specific post but have access to VFW benefits and meetings. Meetings usually have 15 to 20 members, said Eisenbrandt.

After the 1977 fire members donated large amounts of labor and material to construct the current building. After the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act members decided to replace the ceiling tiles for the entire building. Home Depot sold the tiles at a reduced cost.

The large dance hall usually holds a dance once a month and is used for the occasional wedding reception. A big screen television is rolled out for Grizzly football games and other large sporting events.

The basement contains a bowling alley with eight recently refurbished lanes. The VFW hosts seniors and mixed leagues. Open bowling is sporadic depending upon interest. The lanes can be rented for private parties.

Janet Oelschlager holds the current bowling record for the seniors' league and has been bowling with Leo Rembur for 13 years. "My name is easy to remember," she said. "Remember Ole's, Schlitz and lager." The record is close to 269 but neither the former record holder, Janice Arnold, or Oelschlager, know the exact statistic.

Starting at 10 a.m. members and non-members come into the bar for the free coffee, read the paper, shoot pool and talk. "This is my ritual every morning," said Garry Sheehan, using the time to plan his day. Sheehan served in Vietnam in the Army 25th Infantry Division artillery. In 1998 he began cancer treatments from his exposure to Agent Orange.

Herman Whisennand sits and reads the paper. "This is the only place I sit. If it's busy I go to the service station," he said referring to the business his son owns. Whisennand began working as an area ranch hand in 1925 and later ran a trucking business.

Self proclaimed "[the] only Democrat in the county," Dick Bare argues politics with another non-member, Garland Slider. The political debates end with chuckles from both men. Slider said that they all come from different backgrounds and walks of life in this town but, "we all get along."