Rockin' event in March to aid Darien VFW's search for new home

DARIEN – Whether it’s the beaches of Normandy, the jungles of Vietnam or the deserts in the Middle East, U.S. veterans have witnessed a wide range of military action.

One thing they all share in common is experience.

Each member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2838 in Darien was sent to a foreign land to fight for his or her country. For those who haven’t experienced the hardships of war, the gap of understanding can be immense.

“It’s easier for them to talk to people who have that shared experience and knowing that there’s a place in their town locally where they can go,” said Matt Goodwin, 32, of Darien.

But the place where veterans go in Darien, a store front in the Heritage Center strip mall, is now in question.

The city has recently been exploring plans to either build a new strip mall on that land or sell the property, which would leave the Darien VFW searching for a new home. Dan Gombac, Darien community development director, said the future of that space, which is currently rent-free for the VFW, is contingent on how the city moves forward.

“At the same time from our perspective we will try to accommodate a place for them and see if we can help negotiate with owner’s rent,” Gombac said. “For example, Brookhaven Plaza right across the street may be an opportunity for them.”

Goodwin, who served in Iraq in 2008, has been the Darien VFW post commander for about five years. All too often he hears of veterans who may not want to discuss experiences in combat, but when they do, he said family and friends aren’t always the best outlet.

“Some people like myself really didn’t have as big an issue transitioning home, but there’s a lot of other guys that are having difficult times when they get home,” he said.

Bill Marchetti, 63, of Darien knows too well about the hardships of coming home after he served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.

“It was an unpopular war and they tended to blame the soldier, so our mission [Darien VFW] is to never let that happen to another G.I.,” Marchetti said.

Marchetti said it’s the Darien VFW that has provided the moral support that all veterans need, especially when it’s right in their backyard.

Since September, the VFW has been holding meetings in the strip mall storefront to not only assist each other, but also to help out the community with events such as organizing blood drives, taking part in flag ceremonies and visiting schools for educational events.

Goodwin said the city is willing to support the VFW within the city, but is not required to provide anything. With property values being where they are in Darien, he said the VFW is not set up financially at this point to buy anything.

To help prepare for the future, the Darien VFW will host a “Rockin’ with the Vets” fundraiser in early March to generate funds for a new meeting spot.

“The goal of this event, or the money we raise, isn’t necessarily going to be used just for getting a post home,” Goodwin said. “All of the money that we raise is used for our veterans support projects and programs that we do normally, in addition to our community support programs and our efforts to find a post home.”

Goodwin said the strength of the VFW lies in its members as 142 veterans, ranging from World War II to Afghanistan, make up Post 2838.

“We’re not the old smokey lounge where all the old timers sit around and tell war stories kind of thing,” he said. “We’re trying to break that image of the VFW. We’re happy to have you, and yeah we’ll share the war stories and the beers later, but we’re here for you and your families and the other veterans and families out there that need help too.”