Veterans are more than just fun and games. They gather monthly at Veterans Memorial Halls like these men of Dixon American Legion Post 208 to work toward providing a variety of services and benefits to veterans and their families.

 

DIXON, CA (MPG) - There was a mean trick played on the Veterans Hall the day before Halloween, costing them hundreds of dollars in damage and about $800 in cash kept in the safe from two fundraising dinners.

The Solano County Sheriff's Office was called when Wayne Holland, a past Post 208 Commander who handles the grocery shopping for the Friday night and various fundraising dinners, came to the hall to unload groceries and noticed the break-in at about 8:30 a.m.

“The office door was open and that was unusual because we always close and lock it,” Holland said. “I checked the bar area and noticed the cash register open. That's when I called dispatch.”

The Solano County Sheriff's Department handles cases for the Veteran's Memorial Hall because the building is owned by Solano County and that is protocol. In the discovery, four bags of money were stolen. There was money from the bar, petty cash, dinners, and about $200 from lottery ticket sales.

“It's frustrating to come in and find it all gone. This is money we need to run the hall. I felt like I wanted to quit. I wanted to hand in my spatula...and my ladle. I'm here every day. If there are cooks who want to come in and cook...,” Holland said.

Said Leah Marlin, “It's just so discouraging.”

Marlin is a member of the American Legion Post 208 Women’s Auxiliary. She is the volunteer office manager who helps coordinate hall use, including funerals and various fundraising activities.

“The person or people had to have used a crescent wrench or pipe wrench to break in the way they did and came in the back door. Then, broke every handle of every door down the hall...never touched anything in the offices but broke every door so we have to have each of them repaired,” Marlin said.

They both were surprised no liquor was taken from the bar that is open for special events and the Friday night dinners.

“I'm not a drinker but if I broke into a bar, I would have at least taken one bottle,” Holland, who has lived in Dixon nearly 45 years, added with a laugh. He also noted that they were deeply appreciative of the Dixon Soccer Club that 'passed a hat' for them at their Saturday night recognition dinner at the hall to help defray repair expenses.

“They donated a whopping $300,” he added.

There are currently 137 members in Post 208, but Holland was quick to add that there were 228 members when he transferred to the club 15 years ago. As of 2024, dues are $45 per year but will increase to $50 per year in 2025.

“We need more—and younger—members to join,” he said.

Both Marlin and Holland gave credit to the Napa/Solano Veteran Riders Motorcycle Club for their support, but they also encouraged any local military to consider helping to keep the Greg 'Coach' Coppes Veterans Memorial Hall open by joining.

The Legion advocates for veterans' needs, including better pay, housing, and medical care. They also lobby for benefits, such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration. The Legion offers services like temporary housing, mentoring, job training, career assistance, education assistance and family and community support. For more details, visit their Facebook page or contact them at 707-678-6308 or [email protected].