SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano Veterans of Foreign Wars Post has officially opened the doors to its new, fully accessible clubhouse, marking a milestone moment for local veterans and community members alike.
VFW Commander Tom Hoffman said the opening represents years of dedication to creating a space that all veterans can enjoy. “Today we opened the doors at four o’clock, and at 2:30 one of my veterans, a man we built this place for, came through the doors in his wheelchair,” Hoffman said. “I pushed the button, he wheeled in, and that’s why I did this. That was the big thing: to make it accessible for everybody.”
Hoffman said accessibility was a driving force behind the project after years of operating in a basement location that limited who could attend. “We’re out of the basement and we’ve got a parking lot,” he said. “This is what I wanted, handicap accessible, bigger, and as you can see, it turned out really well.”
The new VFW features 11 televisions, a large bar and seating area, and 32 parking spaces. Hoffman said its purpose remains rooted in service. “It’s still the Veterans Clubhouse,” he said. “The money we raise goes right back into the community for veterans and scholarships. It’s great.”
Among those behind the bar for the soft opening was longtime volunteer Pete Krolow, who has tended bar at the VFW for more than 15 years — most of them in the old basement. “From the last 15 years of bartending in the basement to the new one now, it’s all handicap accessible,” Krolow said. “It’s all available and ready, great parking, 32 spots outside. Now we even have TVs. 85-inch TVs instead of one 60-inch. It’s amazing.”
Krolow said the new setup makes his job both busier and more rewarding. “The bar is bigger, I get more exercise, and there are more people to smile at,” he said.
Hoffman credited community generosity for making the new building possible. “I’ve got to give a shout out to Randy and Mary Bohm and their family,” he said. “If it wasn’t for their generosity, this wouldn’t be here.”
The public will get its first full look at the new VFW during a grand opening on Tuesday, a day Hoffman said will be both joyful and emotional. “This is for the veterans,” he said. “The community’s going to get a chance to see it and witness it. We’re fortunate enough to be able to do this, not just for VFW members, but for everybody.”
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