The Veterans of Foreign Wars is an organization that has its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War in 1898 and the Philippine Insurrection in 1899-1902 returned from these wars wounded or sick. Some decided to found local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. Some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.

During the Depression the VFW struggled to provide for veterans who were hit hard by the economic downturn. The organization began to petition the government during this period, trying to secure federal funding for starving veterans across the nation. Unfortunately the government decided to instead cut veteran's benefits in order to save money. Fortunately President Roosevelt sided with the veteran's organizations and in the end money was awarded to help alleviate the suffering.

One thing that has always been a constant with the VFW is community service. During the 1930's the veteran's organizations of the United States jumped into action to help out in their local communities. As the 30's came to a close and war loomed in Europe the VFW officially opposed all war by the United States, and preached American neutrality in international affairs. The veterans knew the costs of war and did not want to put Americans in a position where they would be forced to fight for their country. But when war seemed unavoidable and World War II became a reality the VFW did not hesitate to fully back the soldiers going off to fight.

VFW Post 3272 was organized by World War I Veterans, granted its Charter in November 1945 and named in honor of Gildo T. Consolini, a native son of Avon, killed in action in the South Pacific in 1943.

Our Post presently has 160 Proud Veterans who have served in foreign wars and have participated in all major wars from World War II to Iraq. We have members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard who have served their country honorably as Combat Infantrymen, Combat Medics, Combat Engineers, Combat Photographers, Squad Leaders, Platoon Leaders, Company Commanders, Forward Observers, Ski Troopers, Pilots, Navigators, Flight Engineers, Bombardiers, Turretgunners. Doorgunners, Aircraft Mechanics, Submariners, Torpedomen, Gunner’s Mates, Divers, Able Seamen, Signalmen, Firemen, Paratroopers, Rangers, Special Forces, Intelligence Specialists, Radio Operators, Tank Crewmen, Artillerymen, Machinegunners, Demolitionmen, Doctors, Nurses, Military Policemen, Force Recon, Scout Dog Handlers, Military Advisors, and Combat Support Personnel.

We have a host of wounded and decorated veterans who have seen action at Pearl Harbor, Phillipines, Bataan, Air Offensive-Japan, Central Pacific, Aleutians, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, New Guinea, New Georgia, Leyte, Luzon, Okinawa, Burma, India, China, Air-Offensive-Europe, North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Po Valley, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, Huertgen Forest, Central Europe, North Atlantic, South China Sea, Japan, Pusan, Seoul, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, Punch Bowl, the Hook, MIG Alley, Saigon, Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, Rockpile, Da Nang, Tet Offensive, Hue, Ngok Tavak, Laos, Cambodia, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and other campaigns.

Based upon a comprehensive study conducted for our 60th Anniversary in 2005 and updated in 2009, our Post has had over 500 Foreign War Veterans as members since its inception and they have accumulated over 1400 years of active military service - including more than 775 years of overseas service in harm’s way. Our Military Service History Project, which complements this Post study, has developed individual histories on over 100 of these members. The first collection of was presented to the 50 historiesAvon Historical Society in 2008 and we expect to add 25 more this year. Our purpose is to recognize the wartime service and sacrifice of our veterans - and to provide an increased awareness of the cost of freedom.

We have the largest and most active VFW Post in the Farmington Valley and are involved in a number of community activities and projects.The Avon Chamber of Commerce honored our Post with its 2003 Public Service Award for our many years of community service which include organizing the Memorial Day Parade; building the Avon Veterans Memorial; participating in patriotic activities at the local public schools; conducting Voice of Democracy & Patriot Pen student essay contests; honoring local teachers; visiting hospitalized and ill veterans; serving as Honor Guards at Post veterans funerals; decorating veterans graves; and disposing of worn American Flags. The Post Poppy Drive was runner-up last year to a Post 8x our size and, its beneficiary, our Relief Fund actively supports local, national & deployed-Connecticut veterans. The Post also provides a Color Guard detail for patriotic ceremonies and creates special educational exhibits in the community. Our 10-year running monthly Post Newsletter has been recognized by the Department of Connecticut’s VFW as the best in the State and we have been designated several times as a “All State Post” based on our ongoing membership and community committment.

Our Post meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at the “Italian Club” on Old Farms Rd in Avon and we also get together each Thursday morning at 10am for coffee at Truffles Resturant on Route 44 in Avon.

Serving Veterans and the Community Since 1945