Whether in conflict or while stateside helping a fellow countryman, U.S. veterans never give up a fight.
But things looked bleak for State College Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 321 as the pandemic tore through 2020. Looking at already declining membership numbers, COVID-19 eventually forced the 70-plus-year-old service club to make a drastic decision — close the doors and sell the building.
The nonprofit Veterans Club of State College put up the VFW post building at 139 N. Barnard St. for sale more than a year ago, but saw no taker until recently. In May, the club sold the property to Penn State for $2.8 million.
Despite the sale of the building, the post veterans kept their chins up and have now linked club membership with Pine Grove Mills VFW Post 5825, said Post 321 Commander Bill McCamley.
McCamley is also president of the Veterans Club of State College, and it, too, has been busy. The club recently purchased the former Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity building at 500 S. Allen St., and the plan is to make it the home of the Penn State chapter of veterans’ fraternity Omega Delta Sigma.
“Veteran students are often a little older, and have different life experiences,” said McCamley.
The sale of the Barnard Street building paved the way for the Veterans Club to acquire the former fraternity house, which was closed in September 2020 because of hazing infractions. It came with a $1.45 million price tag.
The building didn’t come in perfect condition, and the club has been busy preparing the 21-year-old structure for its new residents. McCamley said he hopes the work is done and it’s ready for Omega Delta Sigma come spring.
Penn State has been without a veterans fraternity house since a fire destroyed one several years ago, McCamley said, adding that it is important for veteran students to have a place to gather with like-minded individuals.
The sale and demolition depleted some of the funds raised by selling the Barnard Street building, and costs continue to build as renovations continue at the South Allen Street property. McCamley said once the projects are complete, the remaining funding from the sale will benefit county veterans.
This story appears in the July 1-7 edition of The Centre County Gazette.
