Ellenton’s AmVets Post 301 celebrates Independence Day and helps local veterans

PUBLISHED JULY 14, 2016

By ANDREA SHAY

Writer / Photographer

ANDREA SHAY PHOTO
Eddie Dorman acts as First Vice Commander at the AmVets 301 Post in Ellenton. He helped to establish the organization’s veterans’ relief fund.

Independence Day held a special significance for many who chose to celebrate at the Ellenton AmVets Post on U.S. 301. From the outside, it looks just like any other Florida tavern inside a strip mall, sitting unobtrusively next to a laundromat.

Inside, however, it’s much more than just a place for conversation and drinks. AmVets is a membership organization for American veterans, and besides providing a meeting place for veterans to socialize and connect, the organization also helps local veterans in the community. The music performed by live band Cold Sweat on July 4th featured many ’60s-era hits from the members’ heyday, and the band also took requests from the audience.

Eddie Dorman, first vice commander at the Ellenton post, is in charge of membership and recruiting for the organization and also chairs the veterans’ relief fund, a fund the organization has established to assist veterans and their families if they are in financial need.

Any veteran with an honorable discharge, which Dorman describes as “non-punitive,” can join the AmVets organization, and they also offer groups for family members of veterans to join as well. Female relatives of veterans — wives, mothers and daughters, for example — can join the AmVets Ladies Auxilliary, and male relatives of veterans can join the Sons of American Veterans group.

Alex Shames, drummer for Cold Sweat, says he admires the way Christine (pictured below) and Jami get the crowds up and dancing. “They really have audience interaction down well.” Both women tell anecdotes, stories and jokes and keep the audience engaged. The band always gets “nothing but love” from the AmVets crowd, says Shames.

Dorman wants veterans and their families to know that there is help availiable if they are struggling. AmVets has an elected veterans’ service officer who is in contact with the community and can help with things like getting contacts for job placement or challenging VA disability ratings.

“Twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide,” Dorman adds, cautioning, “If you need help, don’t be too proud to ask for it.”

“They can always call up here,” he said. “If someone calls up and needs help or is suicidal, they can get personal numbers so they can reach [another AmVets member] who is able to talk them through it.” The organization also provides solidarity and emotional support for the families of military members who have been killed in the line of duty.

Most recently they came together with the family of U.S. Army Private First Class Zachery Fuller, who died last month during a military training exercise in Texas. Members of Ellenton’s AmVets Post 301 accompanied Fuller’s family to receive his body and attended his memorial service in Palmetto. Dorman himself, escorted Fuller’s mother.

Despite the somber circumstances and statistics, Dorman said that his favorite thing about being a part of AmVets is helping people. “It’s collaborative. It’s not about ‘me’; it’s about ‘we.’ People help when they can and also receive help when they need it.”

Veterans and family members who are in need or who would like to join or donate to the Ellenton AmVets Post, call  941-722-0393.

Cold Sweat plans to play another live show at the Ellenton AmVets Post toward the end of July. The band typically plays there at least once a month.

Cold Sweat plays ‘60s era favorites including chart toppers, Motown and Soul.