VFW Adopts 'No Smoking' Policy, Effective Today

(Editor's Note: The following information was submitted by Vincent Oliva, Commander of VFW Post 8164 in Tewksbury.)

Since its founding in 1946, has continuously strived to change with the times in order to continue serving the veterans of Tewksbury and the surrounding communities.

In 2007 a new leadership team was elected to lead the post.  Over the past 4 years that post leadership team developed and is implementing a plan to modernize the post and ensure its continuing ability to serve veterans and the community in the 21st century.

The post has made numerous investments in the last few years to improve the facility in order to make the post safer and more attractive to both veterans and the general public.  These investments have included the installation of a sprinkler system throughout the building, completely repainting both the downstairs members club and the upstairs function hall, refurbished floors, pool tables, installation of a new ceiling in the downstairs club and clean up and landscaping of the post grounds.

As a result the post now has a spacious and attractive function hall with good lighting and a new sound system, a refurbished downstairs members club with food options and, as always, a large parking lot.  Due to these improvements the post has become a popular choice for birthdays, wedding receptions, showers, banquets, graduations, first communions, confirmations and dances.

In our on-going efforts to address the concerns of all veterans and the community and continue the progress we have made, the leadership of VFW Post #8164 has decided that the post will become a NON SMOKING facility on 1 July 2011.

This unanimous decision of the post board of directors was reached after much consideration and is the result of many factors, the most important ones being our desire to provide the healthiest environment for our members and patrons.  We anticipate the decision to go non-smoking will make visiting the post and the members social club a more enjoyable, healthy and pleasurable experience for everyone.

We hope the decision to become a non-smoking facility will encourage more veterans and residents to visit the post and consider becoming a member.  VFW Post 8164 NO SMOKING policy covers all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and the new electronic cigarettes.

The use of these or any related products will be prohibited in all interior facilities of the post, including the downstairs veterans social club.  We are mindful that this new policy could be a burden on those of our members who currently still smoke.

In an effort to accommodate these post members, a covered area outside will be made available for smoking.  The new policy will take effect 1 July 2011 which coincides with the beginning of the new membership year.  We encourage former members who may not have visited the post in the past few years to consider returning and take a look at the improvements made and consider renewing your membership and take part in post activities.

Veterans who have received a campaign medal for overseas service and have served ninety consecutive days in theater ( war zone) are eligible to join our ranks.  If a person is related to a veteran but never served in the military, then that person may join the men's or women's auxiliary ranks.  We invite all Veterans  and their families to our OPEN HOUSE COOKOUT  on Jult 10, 2011 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. 

VFW Post # 8164

Board of Directors