May 7, 2025 By Garrett Neese 2 min read

Almost a year after it was placed under suspension for undisclosed reasons, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels reopened in late April,

“It’s just a general try to restart it all over again,” said Sam Lucchiola, the post’s quartermaster. “It’s a bit of a struggle, but we’re getting there.”

Last year, the post’s commander, Bruce Black, said the suspension, then announced as 90 days, was due to money issues. Asked for additional explanation, Lucchiola deferred comment to Black on the reason for the closure, as well as the longer-than-expected duration. Black did not respond.

John Getz, quartermaster of the state VFW, declined comment on the suspension when reached at the state office.

After the post was padlocked, it had to go through a reincorporation process, finally getting permission in December to work toward reopening, Lucchiola said. From there, it took about two months to have the post’s liquor license reinstated.

“I’ve been with this post for the past 13 years or so,” Lucchiola said. “It’s nice to be able to come back, and a lot of people are happy that it’s back open in town.”

The post held a welcome back party on Saturday. It had two goals, Lucchiola said: to get the current members back in, and hopefully add more to the 102-member roster.

With the post re-opened, Lucchiola said, members are working to change its perception by the wider community by broadening its activities.

“We’re trying to get into more things for the public, thinking about a teenage dance, or a picnic,” he said. “That’s all under consideration.”