Post Commander Larry Hill speaks about VFW history

[Editor’s note: Retired Air Force Captain John Miller interviewed the Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Larry Hill of Post 2271 in Fairfield to educate the public on Hill’s military service as well as the history of VFW Post 2271.]

John Miller: When did you begin as Post Commander?

Commander Hill: Previously, I was commander in 1983-84. Then in 2021, I assumed command again.

Miller: Would you briefly summarize the history of the Post?

Hill: The VFW was founded in 1899. Here, it goes back to 1919. It was not officially incorporated until August 1943 and named Dimmitt-Vorhies Post after two local servicemen who were killed in action in WWI—Clifford Dimmitt and Clifford Vorhies. It used to be in what is now Morningstar Studio, second floor, on the east side of the square. Danielson Motors (a Dodge, Desoto, and Plymouth dealership) used to own the building that we’re in now, on 121 East Broadway.

Miller: What is the purpose of the Post?

Hill: Basically, we support veterans in a number of ways, such as visiting veterans in nursing home or hospital care, preparing and serving meals at our Post, making sure the 500+ flags are displayed each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, maintaining a bar and game room for social activity, displaying 8 x 10 photos of veterans on our Wall of Honor, occasionally helping locally with poppy sales, and publicizing Post events as with this news article. People also can purchase flags from us. We dispose of old flags for anyone who’d care to bring them in to us. We also maintain a relief fund for veterans in need. We have a veterans memoir program whereby VFW members are encouraged to write up their military history, print it, and give us a copy for inclusion in a three-ring binder that we are saving for research use by high school students and so forth. And we provide a veteran speaker for local groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Iowa State Extension youth events, and so on. Of final note, we provide funeral receptions, and rent our dining room to anyone interested in using it.

Miller: What was your own military history?

Hill: I served in the Army 1967-69, including in Korea 13 months during the USS Pueblo incident. Our unit was called over when it was captured, January 1968. There, I was in charge of ration breakdown for four battalions — roughly 400 men. North Korea released the Pueblo crew in December 1968 before I left Korea.

Miller: Do you come from a family of veterans?

Hill: My dad served in World War II; my son served in the National Guard. A grandson was in the Marines; several uncles served in the military as well.

Miller: Were they instrumental in your decision to serve?

Hill: No. I was drafted. I was married in April 1967, then was drafted in September, at age 20.

Miller: I’ll bet your wife wasn’t too happy about that?

Hill: No, she wasn’t!

Miller: How is it going for you thus far in your service as commander?

Hill: We’re losing members through deaths and dropping out. In order to maintain the Post, we need more veterans to get involved. But younger veterans just don’t seem to want to join.

Miller: Do you envision any new directions for Post?

Hill: Maybe doing some special meals for veterans would be nice, such as for Thanksgiving. We’ve invited veterans and their families to join us at the Post for meal.

Miller: How may anyone interested get more information about joining, or about services offered?

Hill: They can stop by the Post anytime we’re open — usually from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily. Or just call 641-472-9282.

Miller: Thank you Commander Hill for sharing this update on the VFW Post 2271 Fairfield.