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Rising From Ashes

A homeowners group is helping veterans rebuild their VFW post destroyed by fire.

Photo by JAMIE PILARCZYK

“We want our neighbors to think how cool it is to have us as a part of the neighborhood,” says Cindy Walkowicz, with Joe Dempsey.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: March 4, 2009

HISTORIC HYDE PARK - Fire that destroyed much of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Morrison Avenue might have done more good than harm, members say.

Since the October 2007 fire, members of the Capt. Russell P. Harris/Rudy J. Santacruz VFW Post 4321 have focused on rehabilitating the building at 2010 W. Morrison Ave. Costs of construction work alone have exceeded the post's $268,000 settlement with its insurer.

In the process, though, the post has built a stronger relationship with the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, which has provided architectural and landscape drawing services as well as $5,000 that went toward the building's windows. The neighborhood association raised the money with its annual tour of local homes.

"Certainly the fire was tragic, but we have found that it's been a very positive thing," said Mary Heise, this year's coordinator for the homes tour, scheduled for Saturday. "Many of our members have all felt fortunate to meet these guys more personally."

That is due in part to the desire of residents and post members to rebuild with the same architectural detail and flair found in much of the surrounding neighborhood.

"We want our neighbors to think how cool it is to have us as a part of the neighborhood," said Cindy Walkowicz, vice commander of the VFW post. "It's been a tough row to hoe, but this place will be 100 times better."

Outside the 2,200-square-foot building are a memorial flag post and cornerstone featuring the building's namesake military men: Harris, a Plant High graduate killed in Germany; and Santacruz, who was listed as missing in action in Korea.

Members hope to include a landscaped area for barbecues, an herb garden and a paved parking lot. They want it to be an attractive place for weddings, parties and memorials.

The money hasn't stretched far enough to furnish the post once construction is complete. Fundraisers will be needed to pay for kitchen appliances, chairs, even glasses and silverware; and that doesn't include paying for the post's regular activities.

"Even though we've burned down, we're still active," said Commander Joe Dempsey, a Navy Seabee reservist who has served in Iraq and Kosovo.

Since the fire, post members have met monthly at the American Legion 139 headquarters near Britton Plaza. They have moved their regular hangout spot to TDY's Pub and Eatery, 5415 Bayshore Blvd., where they have continued with their $5 all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfasts cooked by the men's auxiliary and benefitting veterans.

The members support patients at James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and call bingo there monthly, raise money for local charities such as Metropolitan Ministries and the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, and host community blood drives. The next blood drive is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14. It will take place at the Morrison Avenue building for the first time since the fire.

But not having a home base has affected the 230 members; especially, they say, for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"They have to search out a post that is not close to them. It's tough because the VFW is what it says — Veterans of Foreign Wars, where we cater to the needs of returning war veterans," said Don Aiken, a retired Navy captain and pilot and a resident of Historic Hyde Park.

"There is wartime camaraderie with people who have been through the same things you have, been in the same place," said Walkowicz, who served in the first Persian Gulf War as a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. "You can't do that with your wife or your children."

Post members said they are hoping they can re-open their building in the next month or two, but definitely in time for the golf tournament and open house set for May 17.

The neighborhood association plans to stay involved with the post. At Saturday's homes tour, 25 percent of proceeds will go to the post's ongoing renovations, with a minimum commitment of $5,000 earmarked for landscaping. Association members are helping plan the golf tournament, and the neighborhood men's club plans to use the post for its meetings.

"There is a stigma that the VFW is an old boys' drinking club. But that's not true," said John Campbell, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. "The VFW is changing. The rebuild is symbolic of this national shift. I think there is great opportunity here."

SUPPORTING VETERANS
To donate or get involved with Capt. Russell P. Harris/Rudy J. Santacruz Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4321, contact Commander Joe Dempsey at (813) 404-9627 or seabeejoe0414@hotmail.com.

SEVENTH ANNUAL HOME TOUR
Benefitting the Capt. Russell P. Harris/Rudy J. Santacruz Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4321, as well as the Warrick Dunn Foundation and Bern's Park, the tour of homes includes a progressive luncheon featuring local restaurants such as Bella's Italian Cafe and Smoke Barbeque and Grill. Model A Fords, courtesy of the New Florida Region Model A Restorers Club of Tampa, will be outside each home, representing the era the tour homes were built, and students from the International Academy of Design and Technology will be available to describe architectural design elements.
WHO: Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association
WHEN:: 10 a.m. Saturday; tickets sales close at 2 p.m.
WHERE:: The walking tour begins at Kate Jackson Community Center, 821 S. Rome Ave., and includes nine neighborhood homes.
COST:: $20 advance, $25 day of, includes progressive luncheon in each tour home
CONTACT:: For tickets and information, go to www.historichometours.com or www.ehydepark.org. Also available through Friday at The Garden Party, 2832 S. MacDill Ave.; Casa Nova, 3119 W. Bay to Bay Blvd.; The Blue Moon Trading Co., 4129 S. MacDill Ave.; A Source for the Home, 712 S. Village Circle; and Magnolia, 303 S. Magnolia Ave.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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