Across the country, VFWs are feeling the impact of member attrition. Many veterans of foreign wars are passing away.
In May of 2024, we saw the same situation in our own community. We reported how Questa’s VFW was at risk of shuttering its charter due to dwindling membership. At that time, Commander Danny Garcia said the biggest hurdle was low membership numbers, as veterans from the Korean War, WWI, and WWII were passing away. “The numbers were so low, we couldn’t even get enough people to have a quorum,” Garcia says.
Now, more than seven months later, we caught up with him, and he says he’s hopeful—as membership numbers have increased. “Not only have we had an increase in membership numbers, but we’ve also seen members actively attending meetings to ensure we have a quorum. It’s a start,” he says
The increased numbers and active participation are a good sign for the VFW and its future. “We’re not on probation anymore, which is a good sign. Now we need to ensure we remain active and involved.”
Commander Garcia shared that he takes care of his son, Antonio (Tono) Garcia, who became paralyzed from a motorcycle accident more than 20 years ago. “A lot of my time goes to taking care of my son, so I appreciate our membership stepping up and being active so the Questa chapter can continue forward for the community. I will do as much as I can, but I am not able to do it alone.”
The current membership of the Questa VFW includes Commander Danny Garcia, Clyde Cisneros, Abran Montes, Louis “Eddie” Herrera, Louie Herrera, Jason Gonzalez, Gabriel Herrera, and Arnold Rael.
Prospective members must have been combat veterans of a foreign war.
One new aspect of the monthly meeting requirement is the hybrid model: the ability to meet through Zoom to host and attend the meetings, as well as in person. “We use Zoom to allow people who can’t be there in person, to join.”
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m.
In addition to running and maintaining the hall for events such as funerals, parties, and community events, the membership is also responsible for maintaining the Pueblito Cemetery, on the mountain across Lagunita Lake.
When asked what is needed at this point, Commander Garcia says, “active and engaged members. We also need support from the community shoveling snow at the VFW, or cutting weeds, or even maintaining the road to the Pueblito. We are stretched thin with our duties and our work is volunteered by the membership, so any [additional] volunteer help would really be appreciated.”
In addition to joining the membership or volunteering, you are also eligible to join the Auxiliary if you’re a family member of a veteran of a foreign war. “The Auxiliary used to be called the Ladies Auxiliary, but that has since changed, so now both women and men can join and be a part of the work to keep the Questa VFW alive,” Commander Garcia says.
While Commander Garcia works with other members to push the chapter forward, they continue to work through hurdles, such as the rising cost of utilities and insurance for their commercial building. The group is working on solutions and ways to make up for the rising costs while also setting its sights on active community engagement and presence.
If you’re interested in helping with solutions and are eligible to join the VFW, or if you’d like to volunteer with the Questa VFW, contact Danny Garcia at (575) 779-6214. If you’re interested in getting involved with the Auxiliary, contact Vikki Cisneros at (575) 770-1299.
