My name is Cristian Medina. I am a 24-year-old Florida resident in West Palm Beach Florida. The VFW I attend has been faced with an issue from the City of Palm Springs. They are attempting to force an insurance policy change on the post, which without the policy, will close the VFW down. I am helping my local veterans, in trying to keep Post 4360 open, as it is an important part of history. The cost of updating the policy is much more than we can manage alone.

Post 4360, Charles J. Taylor post in Palm Springs Florida has been established since 1964 and serves as a hub for Veterans and seniors of the community. I myself attend with my 77-year-old grandmother, to meet with friends, listen to music, and enjoy time amongst her peers. This is the case with many of the people who attend, some driving 30 miles. The Post is a social and emotional lifeline to veterans who came home. The Post is operated by a 30-year Navy Veteran, defending our country on several fronts including Desert Storm. The commander, William Thomas Jr, is a Vietnam Veteran who received the Purple Heart, and was wounded in combat by a mortar round.

These are just two of our local heroes who are fighting to keep their Post doors open to the public, and our Veterans. Our weekly activities include Bingo, Karaoke, Friday dinners, and other social gatherings. Here at the Post, we have had celebrations of life for our friends we have lost, weddings, birthday celebrations, and holiday festivities.

Please help the community of veterans fighting to keep this post open. The local veterans have given us so much, please consider helping them now. These are the men and women who fought to defend our country and came home. Now they are fighting to preserve the legacy of those who never made it back.