More on Fostoria

More on Fostoria 1934

From R/t May 26, 2001

Gene Kinn (Article)

Local Veterans of Foreign Wars Established

The Veterans of Foreign Wars national organization was founded by Spanish-American war Veterans. Col. W.O. Bulger Post 421 was established on Feb. 15, 1934. there were several times during those early years when it appeared that the post charter would be revoked for lack of membership, but George Russell, William Cook and others saved the day, even taking the per capita tax out of their own pockets for keeping the organization alive.

The post was incorporated in 1937 and added a canteen to the quarters that has been leased in the old Peter Clothing building at Main and Tiffin Streets. The post rooms were actually located on West Tiffin Street above Smoky's Bar and Grill.. In the late 1960's the club rooms were moved across the street to the present location, the former Midtown Bowling Lanes when the new City Building was built.

Post 421 was chosen by Mrs. Adele Wainwright as the official membership post for her famous husband General Jonathan Wainwright, then a prisoner of war in Japan. Rear Admiral Fletcher Good, a native of Fostoria, was also a member, although his years of overseas service prevented him from being active here.

During the 1950's and 1960's the local post brought fame to Fostoria by capturing more than a dozen National VFW band titles in cities thoughout the United States.