If you grew up in or around the tiny town of Richmond, chances are you have probably heard of or been inside the Richmond AmVets Post 107 to enjoy a beer, have a few laughs with friends, or relax after getting off work. 

In Richmond, the Sons of AmVets squadron at Post 107 works in conjunction with the Ladies Auxiliary to uphold the values and purposes of the parent organization AmVets (American Veterans).

“AmVets membership is available to all veterans and active-duty personnel and their families,” says Wendy Boyse, president of the Ladies Auxiliary at Post 107.

Boyse has served in the Ladies Auxiliary for around 10 years. “My dad is a member here and so are my two brothers who are also veterans and members here,” Boyse said.

Dennis Murray has commanded the Sons of AmVets squadron for the last two years and has been a member for five years. “I was coming over here for the wing nights,” Murray begins. “I know all the people here because it is a small community, and my friends told me, ‘If you are going to come over here, and you see us in need of help and you help while you are paying for your meal, you should just come help us,’ so I finally got talked into it [joining],” Murray explains.

Wing nights are just one fundraiser the Sons of AmVets hold. Tenderloin meals and car shows are also put on to raise money not just for the AmVets post, but to also give back to the local community.

“Anything the community might need. We donate to food banks, the VA hospital (in Iowa City), Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, the honor flight, school supplies,” Boyse lists. 

Along with the Ladies Auxiliary, the Sons of AmVets donates to the VA hospital and helps with honor flights for veterans. The Sons give away two scholarships to the Mid-Prairie Foundation and sponsor local Boy and Cub Scout troops.

A few weeks ago, the Sons of AmVets squadron put on a fireworks show complete with pops, bangs, bright colors, and fireballs. The fireworks launched that night were bought from donations as another way to give back to the local community.

“We are always looking for new members on both sides, and a membership does not mean you have to work at every event,” Murray adds.

Furthermore, membership in the Sons of AmVets does not require any personal military service. Eligibility for membership in the Sons of AmVets is limited to all male descendants, grandsons, adopted sons, stepsons, fathers, husbands, widowers and brothers of members of AmVets, deceased members of AmVets, or service personnel who died and would have been eligible for membership in the parent AmVets organization, and are at least 18 years of age and are not eligible for membership in the parent organization.

Put simply, you, the reader, could very well be eligible to join the Sons of AmVets squadron at Post 107.

One of the many benefits of joining the AmVets Post 107 is a membership card that can be used for entry into any AmVets post in the country.

“We have members that are in it just for the membership card when they travel because there are several posts down south where our older members go for winter,” Murray says. “If you find an AmVets post and you need a card, you get one here.”

Besides the material membership card, Boyse and Murray both say that they still get more out of being members in the Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of AmVets, respectively. “When I am a part of this [Ladies Auxiliary], somebody else might learn that I am a part of this. It opens up conversation,” Boyse reveals.

“[I] used to be the person that stood for the flag when it went through the parade, but now I get to be the guy that helps carry the flag,” Murray notes. “It is my heart and soul that goes into this place,” Murray expresses.

With eligibility requirements being quite inclusive, and the noted benefits a membership can provide without being a major time commitment, the Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of AmVets squadron at Post 107 in Richmond will most certainly welcome anybody interested to join them in upholding the American freedoms we enjoy today.  To join, email sonsofamvetssquad107@gmail.com or send a message to 319-656-2809.