CIRCA 1927-2007, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, VFW, POST#1494, INSIGNIA, OBSOLETE Silver numbers 1494 applied to two horizontal gilt bars, Clutch back posts. VFW Post 1494 History: With the change of a name, the erection of a sign and the election of new officers, the 80-year history of the Lt. Archie Kelly V.F.W. Post #1494 quietly begAn a new phase during April 2007. The latest chapter opens with the consolidation of two V.F.W. posts #1494 and West Dearborn Post #2107. Post #1494, 6117 Chase Road, has succumbed to old age, death and a small fraction of participating members, said Post Chaplain Daniel Kushnir, a 44-year member. At the Post?s last meeting April 3, only six of 188 members attended. The decision to merge with Post #2107, 1314 Monroe, was made a month earlier when multiple members declined to take office, Kushnir said. Now the posts will unite to become Lt. Archie Kelly Post #2107 and will boast a membership of about 315. Between the two posts, only about 20 veterans actively participate in the monthly meetings. As veterans age, it seems the only answer for other V.F.W. Posts is to consolidate, as well. ?They have to. Unless we can get the Iraq kids to come in, it will be difficult to survive,? Kushnir, 83, said. Conner Coleman, Post 2107?s quartermaster, agreed, ?It?s the economy. Money isn?t there for posts and membership is way down,? he said. ?The Iraq kids aren?t joining.? While Post 1494 veterans were left with little choice but to merge, it was still an emotional decision. ?It?s one of the oldest (posts) in America,? Kushnir, a WWII veteran said. ?It?s bittersweet.? The Post has a rich history dating back to Jan. 21, 1927, when it was known as Fordson Post #1494 in honor of the city it served. When the city of Fordson was incorporated with the city of Dearborn, the name was changed to Ford-Dearborn Post #1494 in honor of Henry Ford, who was a great benefactor to the organization at that time. The original 12-member post was founded when a group of veterans recognized the need to ban together to bring about a closer relationship and honor the spirit of the Veterans of the Foreign Wars whose motto is: ?Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.? The veterans, under the leadership of Fred Beard, the first commander, recognized the fact that such an organization was needed in the city of Fordson and surrounding communities. In August 1986, the Post merged with the Lt. Archie Kelly Post #3780 and combined names. Kelly was a navigator on a B-24 bomber who was killed in action on a bombing mission over Germany in July 1944. The original building that housed Post #1494 burned down seven years ago in a ?suspicious? fire, Kushnir said. The members lost everything ? rifles, pictures and other historical artifacts. ?It was a disaster,? Kushnir said. What little there is left will be brought to Post #2107 as the two groups merge and elect new officers in their first meeting together Monday night. International Buyers Please Note: We do not ship outside of the United States! No Exceptions. In addition, we will not ship to third party shippers or any other international shipping hubs such as International Shipping (EIS), EIS 110 INTERNATIONALE BLVD, GLENDALE HEIGHTS IL 60139-2080. If you place a bid, or make a purchase, we will cancel your bid, and or cancel your purchase! If you wish to make a purchase, you will have to find someone located within the United States to make the purchase for you. They would be responsible to send the package to you.