Brian Chapman, commander of the Farm­ersville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7426, doesn’t sugarcoat the effect that the coronavi­rus pandemic has had on the VFW’s work in the community.

“COVID has had a major impact on us,” said Chapman. “Back in March, when we shut down,” he said, “we were unable to do any of the fundraising activities we usually do.” The result, he said, has been a serious reduction in the post’s efforts to help veterans deal with is­sues unique to their service in wartime.

“COVID shut down our fundraising. We couldn’t use the building or rent out the back room for weddings or family parties,” said Chapman, a retired Army infantry and military police officer who served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Chapman, who lives in Celeste, said he retired after 32 years in the Army Re­serve and recently retired as well after 28 years serving with the Dallas Police Department.

“We have made it through the past seven months with money we had on hand,” Chap­man said.

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By John Kanelis • [email protected]