MONROE - The Cecil Jones VFW Post 2312 in Monroe is prepared to sell its home, with the VFW Smoky Row Tap, on 17th Street. Two offers are already on the table, and the Class B liquor license will most likely be part of the deal.
Post Quartermaster Mike Furgal said the group could possibly keep the property, if it could pay off a $25,000 bank loan, or find someone to pay it for them.
"Oh, if we could find someone to do that, I'd gladly give them a receipt for it," Furgal said Monday.
The Cecil Jones post is the only VFW left in Green County with a post home, a meeting place owned by the group, Furgal said. In New Glarus and Brodhead, the VFW groups meet in American Legion locations, he said.
The Monroe VFW has about 300 members, a mixture of veterans of varying ages. But it's getting "harder and harder" to get younger members to participate, Furgal said.
"I don't know what's keeping the young people out," he said.
In addition to the bar that's open to the public, the post home has a large, adjoining dining room for meetings and catered events; pool tables in the lower level; and a three-bedroom apartment that is rented.
"We could put in Wi-Fi or a volleyball area, whatever they wanted," Furgal said. "We keep asking them what they want."
The Cecil Jones Post is going the way of many VFW posts. Milwaukee County used to have a VFW post "on every corner," each hosting a Friday fish fry, he said.
"There are no fish fries in Milwaukee County anymore by the VFWs," he added.
According to Furgal, the Cecil Jones post began in 1939 and was named after the first Green County resident killed in World War I. About 47 years ago, the group settled down on the corner of 14th Avenue and 17th Street.
Furgal transferred his VFW membership from Okinawa, Japan, to Monroe in 1981, after retiring from the U. S. Marines. Furgal was active duty for almost 22 years, he said. After moving 18 times during his career, Furgal gave his children the option of deciding where they would live - and they chose Monroe, where Furgal's mother lived. Since then Furgal has served the VFW at the local, district and state levels, including state commander.
Furgal said the Cecil Jones Post will continue to meet monthly. He's not sure where the group will meet after the post home is sold, but most probably within the city limits, he said.
Post Quartermaster Mike Furgal said the group could possibly keep the property, if it could pay off a $25,000 bank loan, or find someone to pay it for them.
"Oh, if we could find someone to do that, I'd gladly give them a receipt for it," Furgal said Monday.
The Cecil Jones post is the only VFW left in Green County with a post home, a meeting place owned by the group, Furgal said. In New Glarus and Brodhead, the VFW groups meet in American Legion locations, he said.
The Monroe VFW has about 300 members, a mixture of veterans of varying ages. But it's getting "harder and harder" to get younger members to participate, Furgal said.
"I don't know what's keeping the young people out," he said.
In addition to the bar that's open to the public, the post home has a large, adjoining dining room for meetings and catered events; pool tables in the lower level; and a three-bedroom apartment that is rented.
"We could put in Wi-Fi or a volleyball area, whatever they wanted," Furgal said. "We keep asking them what they want."
The Cecil Jones Post is going the way of many VFW posts. Milwaukee County used to have a VFW post "on every corner," each hosting a Friday fish fry, he said.
"There are no fish fries in Milwaukee County anymore by the VFWs," he added.
According to Furgal, the Cecil Jones post began in 1939 and was named after the first Green County resident killed in World War I. About 47 years ago, the group settled down on the corner of 14th Avenue and 17th Street.
Furgal transferred his VFW membership from Okinawa, Japan, to Monroe in 1981, after retiring from the U. S. Marines. Furgal was active duty for almost 22 years, he said. After moving 18 times during his career, Furgal gave his children the option of deciding where they would live - and they chose Monroe, where Furgal's mother lived. Since then Furgal has served the VFW at the local, district and state levels, including state commander.
Furgal said the Cecil Jones Post will continue to meet monthly. He's not sure where the group will meet after the post home is sold, but most probably within the city limits, he said.