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VFW to upgrade Post 7327
Tucked deep along Terminal Road in Lorton, near an Exxon refueling transfer station and innumerable detailing shops and industrial businesses, lies the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 7327. But not for long.
Over the last year and a half, the 636 active members of the post may have become a little cramped in the 5,000-square-foot space, a sacrifice to save money for the big move that all the participating members have been working toward.
The post has been in existence for 60 years, its membership steady as generations of American soldiers encountered and continue to see combat – the eligibility requirement for club members.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously approved the plans last week, and the Board of Supervisors will make its final determination in a month.
The new site is near the Franconia Moose Lodge along Beulah Avenue. Plans for the new post are an 11,000-square-foot, plantation-style mansion, with a long, wide balcony meant to serve members from Springfield, Alexandria, Annandale and Franconia areas of the county.
Ten years ago, before residing at its present location, the post was housed in a warehouse along another industrial corridor, Kincannon Drive in Lorton. Bought for just under $550,000 more than a decade ago, the VFW recently sold the property for $1.9 million.
“We hope [the new facility] will draw more people, especially being so close to Fort Belvoir,” said post Commander Richard Yancey.
Even though the post may have 636 members, just under 100 actively participate, said Senior Vice Commander Chris Braun.
“We're trying to break ground this year,” Braun said. The VFW leaders hope to have most of the construction under roof in time for next winter.
Much of the construction depends on whether the post has available funds, one reason why the event hall and rentable facilities may be built first, so that revenue streams can start flowing in to help with the bills.
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