The renovations will allow both the Legion and the community to use the facilities for a wide range of events, public and private, such as wedding receptions, youth events, game nights and dances.

The American Legion Post 93 building in Velva retains its historical look upon entrance, but once inside the main hall, the feel of the building changes.

Members of the Velva Veterans Group, composed of veterans, spent their own money and time, and applied their own expertise in renovating the upper level of the building to act as a community center, bingo hall, reception venue and meeting place. It is to be available to the public for rent. A group of sponsors and donors from across the state donated money and materials for the project.

Veterans Group members transformed the hall from a picture of half a century ago to a more modern, updated look. Part of updating that look was updated electrical systems and new heaters that were in need of replacement. They constructed the revised hall to be a multi-purpose building, with moveable walls to easily reconfigure its layout. There is a bar and electronic pull-tab machines, and that area can be easily configured to be separated for a family friendly environment. There is also a kitchen.

Mike Nienhaus, woodworking master behind the military coins bar table, stands next to his craftsmanship.

One section that is special to Jodie Frankl, the public relations member of the group, is a dog tag “ceiling” she created, similar to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., where guests can purchase custom dog tags to hang. These dog tags can be made on the spot with a machine on hand to stamp lettering onto the tags.

Some things that had certain levels of sentimental value were repurposed or updated, such as the Legion’s bar-top table, which was repurposed into a large welcoming table that can be easily moved and contains coins from veterans’ collections.

The Velva Veterans Group was started by four people and has grown to a group of 17 “like-minded individuals, who want to give back to the community, and continue serving together,” according to Frankl. The group is separate from the American Legion, but many members of one are also members of the other.

Frankl said their nonprofit status allows them the freedom to work on projects and causes they would like to, without anyone over their heads driving decisions. One of their intentions is to build camaraderie in the Velva veteran community.

“Of the 17 people in our group, I only knew six before. It’s been a blessing to build this unit,” Frankl said.

Submitted Photo Al McIlvaine installs steel sheeting donated by Pioneer Steel of Karlsruhe. John Holmen also contributed to the project, helping with the steel but also trimming, wood work, lighting, etc.

Each member of the group put in time and effort over the last two months to make the Legion hall a welcoming, pleasant place. Continuing renovations are planned to keep updating the building and make it more multi-purpose. Lights and flooring are in the plans for the future.

According to Frankl, the group would eventually like to renovate the lower level of the building and possibly make it available for a community kitchen and coffee shop.

The group also plans on hosting an upcoming “battle of the bands” and other events to get members of the Velva community to gather for some fun.

Thursday evening, the Veteran’s Group invited the community for an ice cream social, open house and bingo to show how the American Legion building can be put to use.