Tornado-ravaged VFW Post raises $13,000 to rebuild

INDIANTOWN, Fla. - Nearly a week after a tornado tore through an Indiantown VFW Post, the community has given back generously, raising thousands of dollars to eventually rebuild.

Demolition of what was left behind from Tuesday's tornado is set for Monday. The debris will be torn down and then hauled away.

"My goodness. You see the devastation here it's incredible," said Phil Forte, a member of the Nam Knights Motorcycle club, which diverted from its planned bike route and headed for the VFW Post 2063 instead.

The group dropped off a donation and also saw what the tornado did just days earlier. "The spirit will always be there. A building, like I said, is a material thing and that will be replaced," he said.

Early estimates show upwards of $13,000 have been raised in the few days since the VFW Post was torn apart. "The support from those in our community and those outside of our community, it's inspiring," said Karen Shelton, a volunteer and bartender at the post.

After days of both chaos and kindness, the commander of Post 2063 said he is ready to look ahead to the future. "Things are beginning to clear up in my mind now and this afternoon I took an hour of writing down questions of things I know we have to do," said Commander David Shelton.

Help is blowing in from friends and strangers alike. "I am so happy and glad that I did come here and we are going to help them. We will help them," said Lonnie Loff, another Nam Knights rider.

Of the $13,000 raised, some will go to assist veterans elsewhere across the United States. Most of the money will go to the rebuilding of VFW Post 6023. Members hope the new structure will be complete with in a year.

Donations can be mailed to: VFW Post #6023, 16701 SW Morgan Street, Indiantown, FL 34956. Checks should be payable to VFW Post # 6023.