As one of two local VFW Posts in Erie, VFW Post 470 Billy Simpson Post at 1808 W. 26th Street offers a social haven and practical support to hundreds of Erieites who served their country as veterans of foreign wars.

Named after U. S. Army Private Billy Simpson, the first member of Erie's own Company G, 112th Infantry to be killed in action in World War I, Post 470 was founded on June 21, 1920 and currently acts as headquarters for approximately 1,600 to 1,800 local veterans. Regular meetings are held at the post on the first Monday of each month.

“Our post serves a range of veterans from World War II all the way up to the modern wars,” says Post 470 Commander Albert (A. J.) Courteau, “but I would say the majority of our members now are from the Vietnam War.”

Post 470 not only hosts regular member meetings and sponsors community essay-writing programs for local students, but also uses its full bar, full kitchen, and clubroom to offer a myriad of group events for veterans and their families, including holiday parties, meals, raffles, and sports leagues.

This social calendar fulfills one of the primary aims of all VFW posts — to provide returning veterans of foreign wars with camaraderie.

“Many veterans return from deployment feeling at loose ends,” says Courteau. “Social interaction with fellow veterans who have gone through the same experiences can help with that.”

Post 470 also meets another crucial goal of the VFW by providing information about and assistance with veteran benefits such as VA medical claims, educational grants, and emergency financial assistance for military families.

“It can be confusing finding out about everything veterans are entitled to because of their service,” says Courteau, “and we're here to help with that if they need it.”As one of two local VFW Posts in Erie, VFW Post 470 Billy Simpson Post at 1808 W. 26th Street offers a social haven and practical support to hundreds of Erieites who served their country as veterans of foreign wars.

Named after U. S. Army Private Billy Simpson, the first member of Erie's own Company G, 112th Infantry to be killed in action in World War I, Post 470 was founded on June 21, 1920 and currently acts as headquarters for approximately 1,600 to 1,800 local veterans. Regular meetings are held at the post on the first Monday of each month.

“Our post serves a range of veterans from World War II all the way up to the modern wars,” says Post 470 Commander Albert (A. J.) Courteau, “but I would say the majority of our members now are from the Vietnam War.”

Post 470 not only hosts regular member meetings and sponsors community essay-writing programs for local students, but also uses its full bar, full kitchen, and clubroom to offer a myriad of group events for veterans and their families, including holiday parties, meals, raffles, and sports leagues.

This social calendar fulfills one of the primary aims of all VFW posts — to provide returning veterans of foreign wars with camaraderie.

“Many veterans return from deployment feeling at loose ends,” says Courteau. “Social interaction with fellow veterans who have gone through the same experiences can help with that.”

Post 470 also meets another crucial goal of the VFW by providing information about and assistance with veteran benefits such as VA medical claims, educational grants, and emergency financial assistance for military families.

“It can be confusing finding out about everything veterans are entitled to because of their service,” says Courteau, “and we're here to help with that if they need it.”