Hancock County VFW Post 5186 aids Frailey family after February fire

Members of Hancock County VFW Post 5186 donated funds to the Frailey family, whose Hawesville home was destroyed in a Feb. 18 fire.

U.S. Air Force veteran L.T. Newton, the post’s quartermaster, historian and service member, and U.S. Army veteran Homer Newman, post commander, presented the family with cash and a check during a chili dinner and bake sale at South Hancock Volunteer Fire Department on March 21.

U.S. Army veteran Glen Cox, a regular at post meetings and one of its most active helpers, attended the fundraiser with Newman and Newton to deliver the donation on behalf of the post.

South Hancock Volunteer Fire Department hosted the benefit to support the family and help them rebuild. There was a large turnout and a generous outpouring from the community, with volunteers cooking, donating ingredients and baked goods for the sale and contributing funds.

“The VFW was concerned and wanted to be there to help,” Newton said. “Part of our mission is to help people in our community who are in need.”

Cody Frailey, his wife, Megan, and their three children, Zane, Zavior and Zephyr, lost nearly everything in the fire. It destroyed their house, two vehicles and many of the family’s pets. Since then, friends, relatives, local fire departments and community members have stepped in with money, clothing, food, pet supplies and other essentials to help them begin again.

Local businesses and organizations have also rallied around the Fraileys with fundraisers and donations, including a pizza sale at Weber Corner, assistance from the American Red Cross and support from Commonwealth Rolled Products.

Frailey said in February, shortly after the fire, that he and his family were “so very thankful to the community for all the support they’ve shown us,” describing people driving by while the house was still burning, offering donations and help with cleanup.

Throughout the year, members of Hancock County VFW Post 5186 organize fundraisers, look for ways to help in the community, assist local veterans and their families, and sponsor patriotic art and writing contests for young people, with prizes awarded. Several members also travel to district meetings four times a year.

Post meetings are now held at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month on the second floor of the old courthouse in Hawesville. For the colder months, they reschedule meetings to mornings. There are currently 40 members.

“If we get 13 or 14 members to show up at a meeting, that’s a huge crowd. Usually, it’s about six or seven members who attend,” Newton said.

Officer elections were held at the post’s March meeting. Newman remains post commander; Billy Powers is senior vice post commander; Scott Padgett is junior vice post commander; and Newton is post quartermaster, adjunct, historian and service officer, helping with VA assistance. Trustees are James Lindsey, Billy Stephens and Wayne Longest.

Post meetings typically last about an hour, and all veterans in the county are welcome and encouraged to attend. Active members say they would like to see more local veterans join them, attend meetings and take part in the work.