By Shanti Hahler
For The Herald
Their golf course has been deeded to the city, their building sold, countless comrades have died and most of their furnishings were auctioned off.
So what else does Everett’s Earl Faulkner Post 6 American Legion have to give?
A lot.
Throughout its history, the Legion veterans have helped local organizations and have sponsored many local activities, including Boy’s and Girl’s State, baseball, Veterans and Memorial Day activities and holiday gift baskets for the needy.
But after realizing they could no longer afford the building that housed the post for more than 50 years on Wetmore Avenue, the World War II and Vietnam veterans were forced to sell their property.
And they weren’t too pleased.
"It bothers me that the city would watch us go down like that and not reach out to help. After spending tens of thousands of hours working with the community, they just let us go down," Adjutant and Vietnam veteran Rich Eckstedt said.
"We’ve provided the city with one of the most beautiful golf courses and recreational centers in the country. They could have helped us find a home."
World War II veteran Ed Adrian agreed.
"We’re in tough shape right now. Most of our members have died, and the younger people have no interest. But that’s true for most of the other legion clubs too … People should know we’re not just a bunch of old goats that sit around and booze it up and talk war."
To keep their organization going, they began to search for a new home. As earlier members did in 1919, they went to the Elks Club on Rucker Avenue, which is renting them space to hold their twice-monthly meetings, fundraisers and get-togethers.
In their new home, a large American flag hangs on one side of the room, and on the adjacent wall hangs an equally large stuffed elk.
"It’s just a different place. It’s strange, foreign; we’re meeting on someone else’s turf," Eckstedt said.
The members hope to find their own place in the near future, but plan to stay with the Elks for at least a year.
Though the veterans have found a temporary home, their future is still in jeopardy. With many of their members dying and a new generation not interested in joining, the result has been a severe decline in participation. Out of an estimated 638 members, only 439 recently renewed their membership.
"The younger guys just don’t want to come up off the boat and dance to Lawrence Welk. They want to get out and do other things," Eckstedt said.
"But especially after September 11th we have a huge responsibility to veterans and those returning from the current situation … We want them to know they are all welcome.
"The American Legion is a fellowship where wartime veterans can help each other."
To try to increase membership, Legion members are holding a free dinner Feb. 26 for members and those who have served during war at the Elks at 2731 Rucker Ave. Auxiliary members also are welcome. Phone 425-252-4179 for reservations.
"This is a time for reorganization, reevaluation and revitalization for us," Eckstedt said. "Our future is virtually unlimited."
Shanti Hahler is a freelance writer for The Herald.
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