WILDOMAR: VFW's 'canteen' reopening

Watering hole destroyed in March fire will be bigger and better

By AARON CLAVERIE - Staff Writer | Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:10 PM PDT ∞

WILDOMAR ---- Turns out there was a silver lining in those plumes of smoke.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Wildomar said this week that the fire in early March that destroyed their "canteen," a popular watering hole for area veterans, has given them a chance to build a bigger and better bar.

"It's a shame it had to happen. But we had a chance to modernize it, clean it up and get it to where it needs for this day and age and for the future generations," said Doug Crouse, chairman of the post's house committee.

The post's insurance policy covered the rebuilding project, which cost about $200,000.

Crouse said that figure could have been higher if not for the generosity of area contractors and vendors, who either donated materials or gave the post reduced rates.

The new canteen, named for longtime post member Doug Arthur, will reopen to the public June 28. A flag-raising ceremony will mark the occasion and area dignitaries will be on hand to commemorate the hard work of the volunteers and post members who helped get the job done.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ina Schieffer, a volunteer bartender and the president of the post's women's auxiliary, led a tour of the canteen now under construction, showing off some of the new features.

Much of the work has been completed, but the U-shaped bar, which will be granite, had not yet been installed. During the tour, construction workers were working on the wiring and getting the walk-in cooler ready to go.

One of the most striking new features is the vaulted ceiling, which is dotted by ceiling fans and skylights. The ceiling of the old canteen, built more than 20 years ago, was 8 1/2 feet high.

The bar also has been wired with security cameras and monitors, measures designed to prevent another fire.

Much of the memorabilia from the old canteen ---- including a sign that reads, "It's not the price you pay to join, it's the price you paid to qualify" ---- was saved by the fire department and all of those items, and some new pieces, will be put on display in the new bar.

Bill McDonald, an Army veteran and the commander of the Wildomar Young Marines, said the firefighters did an amazing job.

"They had one crew fighting the fire, one crew covering things and another crew saving stuff," he said.

Many of the area regulars, who have been frequenting a makeshift bar in the northern part of the building, will notice something familiar when the new bar opens.

McDonald, who has worked closely with Crouse on the renovation, said a section of the bar that was salvaged from the fire will be mounted on the wall and it will be used to display nameplates recognizing people who contributed to the renovation.

Over in the makeshift bar, set up in the back corner of the building's banquet hall, Tony Skowronski took a sip from a plastic cup emblazoned with the familiar Budweiser logo.

The 84-year-old World War II veteran has been a member of the Wildomar post since moving to the area in the early 1990s.

While he could go plenty of places for a drink, there's something special about spending time with fellow veterans. Well, three things.

"The company is good. The bartender is sociable. And the drinks are cheaper," he said.

Conversation in the bar covers most any topic, he said. The guys will talk about sports. They'll talk about President Bush. If someone brings up the age-old rivalry among the service branches, that will also spur some lively debate.

Don Baigent, 79, joined the VFW in the 1970s but he is one of the newest members of the Wildomar post, signing up just a few months ago after moving to the area from Pennsylvania.

One of the first things Baigent did when he got to town was look for the nearest post, he said.

While spending time in the post, Baigent said he has made new friends and he's become part of the community.

Like Skowronski, he could go to plenty of places to buy a drink.

But he prefers the canteen.

"It's good camaraderie," he said.

Contact staff writer Aaron Claverie at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2624, or aclaverie@californian.com.

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