VFW Post 1445 marks 100 years of service to veterans, community

The Carl C. Stoller VFW Post 1445 in New Philadelphia will mark 100 years of service to veterans and their community in May with a special event. The festivities start May 2 at 5 p.m. with the dedication of a section of Park Avenue NW at Fourth Street NW as “Veterans Way.”

Two large murals will be unveiled on the outside of the VFW building. One is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the post, with the other dedicated to America 250.

A dinner for local officials, VFW district and state officials and VFW members will also be held May 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the post. At the dinner, the Tuscarawas Philharmonic children’s orchestra will perform an original piece of music that was commissioned to honor both the 100th anniversary and America 250.

The commissioned piece will also be performed June 6 at the “From Revolution to Resonance: 250 years of Independence” performance by the philharmonic at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas.

On the actual day of the anniversary Sunday, May 3, there will be a membership recruitment drive at the post from 8-11 a.m. All new members will receive a free one-year membership. All veterans will receive a free breakfast. At the same time, there will be a Veterans Resource Fair with information and organizations that serve veterans.

A free lunch for all post members will be held in the afternoon from 1-5 p.m. The lunch will be catered by Mission BBQ and live entertainment will perform all day. Members will also receive a free T-shirt commemorating both the anniversary and America 250.

Since 1926, Post 1445 has made its home at various locations in downtown New Philadelphia including the location of Uncle Primo’s restaurant. Later, they moved next door to their current facility at 441 Park Avenue NW in New Philadelphia. The post currently has about 1,400 members.

Post 1445 is one of only two VFW’s remaining in Tuscarawas County, the other is Post 7943 in the village of Tuscarawas.

Current officers are Steve Cheveney, post commander; Steven Russell, quartermaster; Dale Denham, senior vice; Craig Ottman, junior vice; and Jerry Cheveney, chaplain.

Though their priority is helping veterans, they enjoy helping the community in general. In 2025, Post 1445 donated more than $500,000 to local charitable programs, projects and scholarships throughout New Philadelphia and Tuscarawas County.

“We have housed homeless veterans, provided assistance to needy veterans, given Christmas gifts to forgotten veterans and rendered military honors for veterans no longer with us,” Jerry Cheveney said.

The post provided military honor guard services for 67 local veterans in 2025, a number that is average for the past five years.

They provide support to many organizations in the community including the Tuscarawas County Friends of the Homeless Shelter, Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry, Tuff Bags, local schools and their athletic programs, first responder K-9 programs, provided defibrillators and other equipment, local museums, Scouting programs, Camp Tuscazoar, Project: Turf Tuscora Diamond and the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. The post also donated a new veterans memorial at Schoenbrunn Meadows Cemetery in New Philadelphia. They have supported vombat vet honor flights, a veteran food pantry at the post and they provide grants to individual veterans in need.

"Since we're 100% nonprofit, whatever money we take in, we have to give out,” Steve Cheveney said adding that, aside from their expenses, the profits are earmarked for charity.

“It’s veterans first, and then the community. Our main priority is taking care of veterans first.”

They’ve helped veterans with essential home improvements, built a tiny home for a veteran, refurbished a cabin, helped with gas and electric bills for veterans and many other projects.

“If there’s a homeless veteran in the area, they’ll call us, and we’ll put them up in a hotel until they can figure out what they want to do,” Steve Cheveney said. “Or we’ll get them a bus ticket if they want to head home somewhere."

The VFW prides itself on giving away all the money they can.

“That’s what we’re here for,” Steve Cheveney said. “Any money that’s donated goes back out to the community.”

The assistance of the VFW has not gone unnoticed.

“The members of New Philadelphia VFW Post 1445 play a vital role in providing military honors at veterans’ funerals, offering a meaningful reminder that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten,” Anne Geib, president of Geib Funeral Homes, said. “Their presence brings dignity, respect, and comfort to families, while honoring each veteran’s commitment to our country. This service holds deep significance not only for the family but also for their friends and loved ones. The Geib team sincerely appreciates their steadfast dedication to this important tradition, and the care and respect they bring to every service honoring those who have served.”

Mayor Joel Day of New Philadelphia was pleased with the opportunity to highlight the contributions of Post 1445 to the city.

“VFW Post 1445 has been a guiding light for support of community projects, particularly those that benefit our veterans and our children,” Day said. “By hosting annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances at the downtown County Courthouse plaza, the Post also sustains community awareness of the sacrifices made by members of America’s armed forces. The citizens of New Philadelphia are grateful for the generosity and leadership of VFW Post 1445.”

Post 1445 has helped with projects that contribute to the community’s enjoyment of the arts.

“We are incredibly grateful to the VFW for their continued support of the PAC over the years. Thanks to their generosity, we were able to bring in a national touring show that told the story of the American soldier and offer it entirely free to our community,” David Mitchell, general manager of the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. “Their support has also helped us update our sound system, ensuring an even better experience for audiences at every performance.”

Jason Thornton of the Tuscarawas County Veterans Service office says they sometimes refer veterans to the VFW for help with issues beyond what their office, as a government entity, can provide. He looks forward to the 100th anniversary celebration and the well-deserved recognition for Post 1445.