OUR FACILITIES

Welcome to V.F.W Post 3280, “The Most Active VFW Post in Clovis, New Mexico.” The building that houses VFW Post 3280 was built in the 1920s and was purchased by the Post on 4 September, 1980 at a cost of $35,000.00.  A mortgage burning party was held 31 January, 1987.

The west side of the building was originally a general store and butcher shop named The Country Store, and also included a small dress shop for the ladies.  The east side was the Avalon Hotel, established to serve travelers as well as passengers and employees of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.passengers and employees of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.

The hotel had 25 guest rooms located upstairs.  The four best rooms had full bathrooms with claw-foot bathtubs and cost $4.00 per night.  The remainder of the rooms, at a cost of $1.50 per night, were appointed with simple sinks, and the occupants used the common bathroom and showers down the hall.  At the rear of the building, there was a common kitchen for guests' use.

In the basement below the general store, there are still notices posted on the walls reminding employees to keep the store stock neatly stacked.  The southeast corner of the basement was a Golden Gloves boxing gym, started by Bob Stevens and Chuck Haas, with access provided by a set of stairs (now covered) on the east side of the building.

The original meat locker for the butcher shop still serves a purpose today; it is used as the canteen's cooler.  At the rear of the building you can find a large pulley and cable, part of the elevator used to move stock between the store and basement storage.

OUR HISTORY

John Carnine - James Wiseman VFW Post 3280 started 35 short years ago when a group of veterans broke from VFW Post 3015.  The charter was signed 5 October, 1978, with 61 founding members listed in the charter. The charter is displayed on the east wall near the door.

The State of New Mexico approved and filed the Article of Incorporation on 25 April 1979, and John Carnine VFW Post 3280 was legally established.  Article II of the corporation declares the duration of this non-profit corporation shall be 100 years.

The post was named after John Newton Carnine. He was born 22 February 1874 in Carlyle, Kansas.  In civilian life, he was a minister.  As a Private, Carnine served with the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War. Unfortunately, his individual military accomplishments have been lost to time.  John Carnine passed 3 February 1978 at age 103, 19 days shy of his 104th birthday.  Private Carnine is buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetary.

James Wiseman was born 29 August, 1928.  SMSgt Wiseman served during the Vietnam War and retired from the U. S. Air Force.  He is listed as one of our founding members, and is the last name on the charter.  He passed on 11 February 1980 and is buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetary. Some time after his passing, the Post's name was changed to add his name.

OUR MISSION

The goals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are fraternal, patriotic, historical, and educational;

• to assist worthy comrades;
• to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their widows and children;
• to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws;
• to foster true patriotism; to maintain and preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies whomsoever.

Our motto is “No One Does More For Veterans.” VFW Post 3280, “the most active VFW Post in Clovis, NM,” along with Department and National Headquarters, help to protect veterans’ entitlements but, as an organization, it works closely within the community through various service, safety, and educational programs.

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