VFW Post 10147
"In Apirl 1988, 25 local veterans of the armed forces formed VFW Post 10147 lead by Normand Bourget. For the first six months, the members took turns hosting the Post in their homes.
For a short while following that period the Post rented a small place for meetings and functions. Mayor Bates of Altamonte Springs was unable to provide assistance in finding a permanent home for the Post.
But one day I (Commander Ortenzio Vecchio) received a call from veteran John Land, Mayor of Apopka, offering a home to the members. This first full-time facility was the Mount Plymouth Homeowner's building. It needed a lot of work: windows, doors, bathroom, kitchen, flooring. But the Vets were up to the job.
During the first meeting in the building came a torential rainstorm. The lights went out! The roof leaked! But, Mayor Land stepped up again. The building was donated for two years but we used it for about eight years.
Then Apopka City Manager, Richard Anderson, called us to look at a supermarket. We sat down and came up with the tremendous building we have now. With out the City of Apopka, we couldn't have what we have now. One of the finest buildings around!"
Artie Vecchio, This 15th day of October 2008
Sound Off Newsletter--Words from the Post