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Friday is Veterans Day but at the Brentwood VFW Hall, which organizers say provides vital services to veterans, the ceiling and roof are sagging and are in dire need of repair. Other VFW posts on Long Island have received needed repairs in the past year amid struggling membership and revenue lost during the pandemic from renting out their halls for events. VFW posts across Long Island and the country have faced needed repairs to older buildings while struggling to recruit new, younger veteran members...Last year, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) led [efforts] for the Brentwood VFW to get a new roof after he noted VFW halls across Long Island had to shut down, losing rental revenue during the pandemic. The Brentwood VFW, which has 70 members, down from 400 members 20 years ago, was at risk of closing. Brentwood Post Commander Sabrina Lacy said she is still working to replace the roof and make repairs to the VFW Hall. Last week, nearly 100 volunteers helped fix up the 1956 building and property, painting the outside of the building and hanging signs, but more work is needed, Lacy said. She said the building needs to be repaired to continue to help feed homeless veterans and provide outreach support and job training.
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