News

County to celebrate completion of VFW renovation July 3

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 8, 2024

Achieving a deadline to finish a big renovation of the Hedrick Rhodes VFW Post 5206 by the Fourth of July, Henderson County last week announced a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the building at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 3.

Renovated top to bottom, the two-story building at Five Points will deliver essential support and services to veterans and their families as well as provide event space for community use.

“The Hedrick-Rhodes Post 5206 VFW building was constructed as a respite for the heroes that returned from fighting to protect our freedoms," Board Chair Rebecca McCall said.  “Preserving this building is one of the most significant contributions we can make to commemorate their sacrifices.  Please join us as we officially open this newly renovated building as the new Veteran Services Facility for Henderson County Heroes.”

The community is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and show their support for our veterans. The building will be open for a tour following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We are excited to be able to open the newly renovated Veterans Services Facility during the week of Independence Day, as a solemn reminder for all of those who have served this great country from its founding to the present. Henderson County looks forward to growing Veterans Services in the newly renovated building and strives to be the most Veterans friendly community in the country,” said Christopher Todd, the county's director of Business & Community Development.

Built in 1948, the two-story post home served hundreds of World War II veterans with socials, dances and meals and was known at the time as one of the largest and most active VFWs in the state. Henderson County acquired the building from the VFW for $35,635 in April 2021 and appropriated $4.7 million in American Rescue Plan money to pay for the renovation.