The Rehoboth Beach VFW will commemorate its 80th anniversary with a ceremony and family picnic from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at 101 State Road, Rehoboth Beach. The building served as the Fort Miles Officers Club during World War II.

VFW Post 7447 was founded in 1946, primarily by World War II veterans, so the day’s theme will reflect the 1940s era. A couple of WWII re-enactors will be on site in period uniforms with a 1940s military vehicle. Three local World War II veterans have been invited to the event.

Delaware Secretary of Veterans Affairs Karen Berry, a retired Delaware Army National Guard brigadier general, will be the guest speaker.

The anniversary ceremony will also recognize the many volunteers who have kept the post going over the last six months. The post had been closed for more than three months last winter after losing its longtime canteen manager due to family responsibilities that required her full-time attention. “A rumor began that the post was closing its doors for good,” said Post Commander Gary Sheftick. “We want to fervently dispel that rumor and let everyone know that the post is here to continue serving veterans and the community as it has for the past 80 years.”

The post’s kitchen could not open this spring without a certified food protection manager. “Junior Vice Commander Rob Calcote stepped up to the plate and took the course to be certified,” Sheftick said. “He’s been acting as kitchen manager all summer in addition to his other duties. We couldn’t have gotten along without him.”

Post Quartermaster Thomas Lattomus has also been volunteering long hours to manage the post’s finances and order needed supplies. “We had to reinvent the wheel in some cases with new officers and new volunteers," said Sheftick.

Women of the Village Improvement Association volunteered to help the post with Friday shrimp night, a longtime mainstay event where the post opens its doors to the community. “The VIA volunteers have been a tremendous help,” Calcote said, “I don’t know if we could have done it without them.”

Members of the post’s auxiliary have also stepped up to help with shrimp night and other activities, and serve food during Saturday line dancing.

“One of my primary goals for the anniversary is to reward the selfless service of our many volunteers,” Sheftick said. Former Commander Dave Diefenderfer has kept the post on track by serving as adjutant this year, he said, and Senior Vice Commander Kevin Williams has been instrumental when needed. Post Chaplain Kevin Burke has also been helping with many events, along with longtime member Buddy Clarke and auxiliary member Nancy Boyle. “So many people have done so much for this post over the past six months, and we’re really excited to do even more in the future," Sheftick said.

One of the initiatives Sheftick said he is excited about is the post’s new membership campaign. Post members voted to approve a trial promotion in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Any veteran who served overseas since 9/11 and earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is entitled to a one-year free membership in the local VFW post.

"We hope many veterans will take advantage of this promotion, and we hope to see many of them at our anniversary picnic,” he said. All veterans and their families are invited, along with interested members of the community.

To learn more, go to rehobothvfw.org.