After Flooding, VFW Post 2296 Reopens Stronger Than Ever
Tasley, VA — What began as an unfortunate setback has turned into a fresh start for VFW Post 2296. After severe flooding damaged much of the building last year, the Post has completed a full renovation and is ready to welcome members, veterans, and the wider community back inside.
From Flooded Floors to a New Beginning
The damage started with a broken water line that sent water pouring through the office, bathrooms, kitchen, and floors. Post leaders scrambled to save what they could, mopping and bailing until a professional remediation team could arrive with industrial fans and dryers. "It was a scramble,” Bennett recalled. "We were in here with mops just trying to get the water up until help could arrive.”
The renovation itself was handled by Matt Hart & Co., who replaced drywall, flooring, bathrooms, ceilings, and lighting throughout the building. The insurance coverage, provided by Farm Bureau, helped ensure the work could be completed quickly and thoroughly. Post Quartermaster Steve Stokes summed it up simply: "Everything in here is new. The furniture, the lights, the kitchen, the bathrooms. We’ve basically got a new Post.”
When George Bennett, the Post’s Junior Vice Commander, walked into the renovated space for the first time, his reaction was immediate: "Wow. It’s pretty amazing. The amount of damage we had, and to see how it looks now — it’s like a brand new Post from top to bottom.”
A Facility Ready for Members and Guests
For members and guests who haven’t visited recently, the changes are striking. The building is brighter, fresher, and more welcoming. Leaders want every member to stop by and see it for themselves. The Post is also recommitting to its community role. The large hall is available to rent for weddings, receptions, and other events, and the Post continues to provide space free of charge for groups such as the Boy Scouts. "We want this to be a first-class community space,” Bennett explained. "Probably one of the best in this corner of the Eastern Shore.”
The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. What was once a space filled with water damage and worn-out furniture is now one of the most welcoming public facilities in the area — ready again to serve as both a home for local veterans and a hub for community gatherings.
Nearly 30 Years of Tradition
Post 2296 has been a fixture in Tasley since 1996, nearly three decades of service and camaraderie. "For veterans who’ve served overseas, this is your Post,” Stokes said. Membership at VFW Posts is reserved for veterans who have served overseas — a group with unique experiences and a shared bond. "Not everyone can join,” Stokes explained. "You have to be a veteran, and you have to have served overseas. That’s what makes it special.” Over the years, it has hosted breakfasts, solemn ceremonies, and large-scale district meetings that drew Post commanders from across the bay.
Post 2296 has always been about more than just its members — it’s about supporting the wider community. In recent years, the Post has contributed to local programs such as Boy Scouts and is looking at new opportunities to recognize teachers, first responders, and youth through scholarships and contests. Entertainment has also been part of the Post’s history, once through popular bingo nights and now through other social activities that bring people together. Leaders hope the renovated space will host more breakfasts, auctions, ceremonies, and community events in the years to come.
Stokes recalled his favorite memory: a packed-house auction and community event that filled the hall. "We had a lot of people here,” he said. "That’s the kind of thing we want to bring back now that we’ve got this new facility.”
Looking Ahead
To celebrate the renovations, Post 2296 is planning an open house in late September or early October. Details will be posted soon on the Post website at www.vfw2296.org.
In the meantime, the Post’s leadership hopes word of mouth spreads quickly. "We’ve got this new, beautiful facility,” Bennett said. "What we want now is to get the word out — to our members, to local veterans, and to the whole community — that the Post is here, it’s active, and it’s ready to serve.”
Stop by and see the renovations for yourself. Bring a veteran friend who may be eligible to join. And if you’re part of the Eastern Shore community, consider the Post for your next event or just come by during public hours to say hello.
As Bennett put it: "This is one of the best facilities in this corner of the Eastern Shore. We’re proud of it, and we want everyone to come see what we’ve built here together.”
