Chuck Calvert admitted he is flying by the seat of his pants without the comfort of wearing a parachute.

    “I’ve never tried to do anything like this before,” said Calvert, a member of VFW Post 79 in Meridian. “But we are going to try and make this a success.”

    Spoken like a true veteran.

    Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 3 p.m., the Stephenson-Delaney VFW Post 79, located on Old Highway 80 West at College Park, will host a Family Day/Membership Drive event that Calvert hopes will inject new life into the post. He said new memberships have been very slow and he hopes to see an influx of new faces join their ranks due to this event.

    “We haven’t seen the Vietnam and first Iraq War veterans we thought we would see,” said Calvert. “We want to encourage them to join us in helping other veterans who are not as fortunate and who need assistance with their needs.”

    VFW posts around the country help vets with medical, family and financial assistance programs. VFW programs also help vets in pursuing their education after their service careers are completed.

    “We aren’t just a bunch of old guys who sit around the bar all day and swap war stories,” Calvert said. “We do a great deal in helping vets get to Jackson to the VA hospital, for instance.”

    The event will take place in the fenced area behind the post and parking will be in the front, Calvert said. Hamburgers, hotdogs with all the fixings along with soft drinks will be sold at the event. Calvert said no alcohol will be available at the event and he is looking forward to entire families coming out on what promises to be a beautiful weekend to learn more about the post and to meet those members in attendance.

    “We are looking to pass the leadership of this post on to younger vets who are interested in helping their fellow comrades,” Calvert said. “We urge all vets to come by and ask questions about who we are and what we do.”