POST HISTORY

The VFW of the United States traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.  Many arrived home wounded or sick with no medical care or veteran’s pensions.  Left to care for themselves, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations that would come to be known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.  Chapters were first formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania and the movement quickly gained momentum.  By 1915, membership grew to 5000; by 1936, membership reached almost 200,000.

Keep-Zimmer Post 1782 was instituted on the 23^rd of January 1930.  The post was named after Gerald Keep and Ernest Zimmer; the first servicemen from White Bear Lake to be killed on foreign soil in World War I.

The first commander was L.F.Poirer and they met at the Odd Fellows Hall, Interstate Lumber Company, Lenhart’s Back Room, White Bear Lake Armory and various homes.  Meeting nights were the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of each month

The post owned the lot where many remember Big Ben’s to be and now is home to the Beartown Lounge.  In 1962 they purchased the property which is still the post home.  At that time it was a boat livery.  Fortunately for the Post the Ladies Auxiliary generously loaned them the $2000.00 needed to make this purchase.  At the time of the purchase there were sixty-nine members making it possible to purchase an existing building with parking for eight vehicles.  Members quickly went to work transforming the old boat barn into their club.  With their own skills and talent they accomplished this work all on their own.  The post helped fund their project with numerous fund raisers including paper drives and iron drives.  The Auxiliary of course worked side by side with their spouses helping with sewing and bake sales.  (Some suspect there may have been kissing booths involved to raise money.)  All work was done on a volunteer basis including tending bar and waiting tables.  When it was a member’s turn to be bartender, his wife had the duty of being the bar maid.  Dorothy Farrel tells about the two bit tip she once received while volunteering her service.  There have been many structural changes over the years and additional property was purchased across the street from Clark Oil Company.  Many remember the small building that was home to numerous businesses before it was razed to make room for additional parking

We as current Post and Auxiliary members owe much to the early members.  Their generous hours of volunteer labor and hard work are responsible for the building and club that we all value and enjoy.  Keep-Zimmer Post 1782 and its Auxiliary have gone far beyond just veterans helping veterans with a rich tradition of community service in White Bear Lake.  We thank and congratulate the Post and Auxiliary on its 75^th Anniversary and pledge to continue to build on the achievements of our predecessors.