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Once-popular Veterans’ Post in Schuylkill County to Close

POTTSVILLE — A veterans’ post in Schuylkill County was once one of the most popular posts in the country, but things have changed, and that post in ...
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POTTSVILLE -- A veterans' post in Schuylkill County was once one of the most popular posts in the country, but things have changed, and that post in Pottsville is closing.

Veterans' posts used to be valued gathering spots for camaraderie and comfort to those who served their country, but now, younger veterans are finding other ways to connect outside of posts' walls.

After opening its doors to veterans 49 years ago, Catholic War Veterans Pottsville Post 1051 is closing.

"I am the past national commander of the Catholic War Veterans, and I have seen this nationwide, post after post closing down," said post commander Leo Haley.

Letting go of this particular post is a little harder Haley.

"It's extremely painful. I feel a physical ache as a result of it."

This was Haley's home post that he has been a part of since ending his service in the U.S. Navy after the Korean War.

"At one time we had the largest Catholic War Veterans post in the United States. We had over a thousand members here," said Haley.

"Now, some nights, we don't even have enough people here to have an argument," said member Edward Schwartz.

After Schwartz served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, he found comfort and camaraderie at the post.

"My wife and I had our wedding here 40 years ago," he recalled.

You could say for 40 years he's also been married to the post, managing its finances.

But with a dwindling membership down to about 80 veterans, Schwartz has tried, but has had to accept there just isn't enough money coming in to keep the post open. Now he and the other members will have to live with just the many memories made.

The Catholic War Veterans post in Pottsville is now up for sale.

Even without the building, members who do continue doing good things for the people of Pottsville like funding pools or little league fields as they've done in the past.

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