The first thing you might notice on your way to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 609 is that you are in the middle of a graveyard. Yes, you are in the right place:Russell Mitchell VFW Post 609 is located in the first Veterans Cemetery in the country, established in 1862.
Monthly meetings are held in Megis Lodge, the caretaker's old stone house. Post 609 hosts Boys Scout training in how to change an 18-foot flag honoring veterans, and also participates in Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy.
VFW has been involved in establishing the Veterans Administration, developing the national cemetery system, creating a GI bill for the 20th century and fighting for medical compensation for veterans. In recent years, the VFW is credited with passing the 2008 GI Bill, which expanded educational benefits to active-duty and reserve military, and improved VA medical centers services for female veterans.