Several members of the local AMVETS group spoke to members of Martinsville City Council on Tuesday about acquiring the former National Guard Building. Group members said they have outgrown the group’s current location in Collinsville.
Carl Wright, commander of AMVETS Post 35, cited a growing member population and a small building as needs for a bigger building. He said the group would like to acquire the National Guard Building as a new location.
The property was previously acquired by the city for $1. The council later greenlit a $12 million Holiday Inn Express project to bring more lodging to the area.
The veteran group said a larger facility would allow it to extend the services offered to local veterans. One of its major goals is to reach out to younger veterans who may not yet know about AMVETS or the resources to help veterans post-service.
AMVETS (American Veterans) is the nation’s most inclusive Congressionally-chartered veterans service organization, representing the interests of 20 million veterans. AMVETS is open to all who honorably served in the United States military, including the Reserve and Guard.
“I’m a Vietnam veteran, I’m 76 years old. The government didn’t support me when I came back, so I had to go out and find my own support,” Clinton Jennings, who recounted his difficultly to get benefits, and the help he received when pursuing them.
Many veterans suffer from conditions like PTSD, which Jennings said he considers to be a silent killer among veterans. Having a meeting space like AMVETS helps provide comfort and combat isolation would help bring about slow and steady rehabilitation.
Jennings noted that AMVETS helps the community as a whole, and contributes 20 percent of its monthly earnings to charities – $2,000 of which goes to Hope Ministry.
Mayor LC Jones said he believes veterans deserve better than the armory.
“If you’re willing to work with us, let’s come together. Let’s get all of your needs so that we know where we need to address, and let’s search for a place,” Jones said.
He added that the armory isn’t in good condition and discussed the possibility of working with the county to find a place, as well as the possibility of creating a Veteran Board in the city to keep the issue at the forefront of discussions.
In the interim, Jones asked the veterans to continue attending council meetings and stay in contact to work towards a new location.
In other matters Tuesday, the council:
*Heard from Margaret Caldwell, chairman of the Blue Ridge Regional Library Board, about the celebration of National Library Week. She also reviewed some of the services that the libraries offered and encouraged continued use of the library.
*Heard from City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavide, who gave an update on the current initial revenue estimates, what the city needs to think about and consider when estimating city revenue and updates on the city’s financial status, which are regularly given to help keep the council informed on the city’s current financial status.
*Recognized National Library Week with a resolution.
*Recognized the passing of Alberta Wilson.
*Met in closed session, in part to discuss the former BB&T Building contract. A contract amendment was made to extend the due diligence date to May 15. During this time, the building will be marketed to other potential investors, and to require documentation of all funding aspects by the developer.
