My name is Joe and I am writing this letter to
Assure that the VFW Post 7987 conducts a fair and impartial investigation into
The events mention in this letter and previous letters written to Chester McKay
Concerning the undesirable and drunken behavior of Kitchen Committee
Chairperson Bud Saxon.
I have been working in the kitchen as a short order cook at
Chester McKay VFW Post 7987 in new Port Richey, Florida for the last 8 months. I
Started as being 1 of 2 cooks on Friday nights and for breakfast on Sunday
Mornings. Lunches during the week were
Being done by one of the posts part time bartenders whom also happen to be the
Step-daughter of the VFW Committee member whom this complaint is being filed
Against.in the past the kitchen never seemed to make any money even though the
Two meals Alex and I cooked for were always busy. It was determined that the money was being
Lost during the week-day lunches and that was because the then lunch time cook
Was taking anywhere from 10$ to 20$ per lunch even if there were no lunch time
Sales. So I told the Canteen Manager that I would take over the lunches and
Still only get paid for meals that made money. This turned out to be 10-20$ for
Wednesdays lunch and dinner combined, (that is not per meal but for the whole
Day) Friday nights fish fry and Sundays breakfast. The rest of the week was
Done on a strictly volunteer basis.
Everything seemed to be going great until the Canteen
Manager went on vacation. This is when the continued back stabbing and
Accusations started. It was a Wednesday morning; the lunch crowd on Wednesdays
Is always a busy crowd. We were told a few days before that some changes were
Being made to hopefully allow the Canteen and kitchen to finally start making
Money. The post command structure voted for and approved a so-called Kitchen
Committee. This committee supposedly
Consisted of five members. Bud Saxon and
The present Canteen Manager were to share chairperson status. The post commanders
Wife, a mens auxiliary member and I were to finish out this committee.
Well one morning after one of the chair persons went on
Vacation Bud Saxon decided he was going to get fall down drunk and then conduct
Post business by telling anyone and everyone how he runs this post. He was being
Obnoxious and belligerent to guests, community service volunteers and to post
Workers. He went on ranting and raving how this post belongs to him and that no
Command structure or committee was going to tell him how to conduct business. Unfortunately
I came walking out of the kitchen at the wrong time. He then went on to yell into my face that I
Was only here because the Canteen manager was the only one who wanted me, and
If he had his way I should walk away and never come back. I then informed Bud
That I was in no way going to stand here and be verbally abused by a drunk. I
Informed Bud I was going back into the kitchen before I say or do something I
Will regret later on. This is when the trouble started. Bud then proceeded to
Try and stand up, he yelled, Never turn your back on me you stupid Mother
^&%$er. Again I informed him I was
Not going to be verbally abused by a drunk. After some more ranting and raving
His step daughter finally came and took him home. Some of the people present for this episode
Was the bartender, the Posts judge advocate and a few others. I decided then and there that I had to make
The post commander aware of what just happened and that it is because of
Actions like this by members and officers alike why people are going elsewhere
To have fun.
After talking to the post commander, he informed me that he
Would look into things but for me to ignore Bud because he was or is an
Alcoholic and it was the Jim Beam talking. I decided I would give him a chance
And I really didnt want to make the posts dirty laundry known. So I ignored the verbal attacks, I ignored
The sneers and stares. I even ignored the fact that he was making everything
Personal. That was until Wednesday the
10th of August. This was when I got a phone call from Bud Saxon stating
That I was no longer welcome at the Post and no longer welcome in his kitchen,
He then hung up the phone before I had the opportunity to ask why.
This is when I decided to file a formal complaint. I would
Have kept this complaint in-house or elevated to District only, but it is known
That some of the officers of both Chester McKay and District command are
Friends and even drinking buddies with the person mentioned in my complaint. I knew if I did it in-house only it would have
Just been swept under the rug.
Since working at this post I have wanted nothing more but to
See it succeed. I even tried doing a facebook page as well as a myspace page to
Help increase business and attendance. I have even taken it upon myself to
Upgrade and repair computer towers that were being wasted by gathering dust in
A back closet. I just happened to hear the Post Quartermaster mention he would
Love to be able to computerize membership applications. I have put in more hours at this post then all
The officers combined and this is the thanks I am given. I even applied for membership so eventually I would
Be involved in voting and making decisions. I am tired of hearing the words
Stealing, cover up and even embezzlement. Unfortunately my complaint has to do with one
Person abusing his status/position at Chester McKay Post 7987. It has to do
With the post allowing an obnoxious drunk perform post business while being severely
Intoxicated, it is about this obnoxious drunk making things personal. If a true
Investigation is completed it will also come out that there is another
So-called officer who abuses alcohol and then makes everything personal but
This time against the only Canteen manager this post needs and has by making
More false accusations. The problem is
Everything I have mentioned is known by the command structure. Everything I
Have mentioned has been part of everyday life and business at Chester McKay
Post 7987. There are no plans on fixing, hence my fear that no investigation
Will be implemented. That or once again everything will just be swept under the
Rug until someone else comes forward.
What I dont understand is why do I feel like I am the one
Being investigated? Why do I feel that I
Am the one being punished? I am the one sitting home not allowed to resume my responsibilities
While the person this complaint is against is sitting in the post enjoying
Himself. The person this complaint is
About is putting the post back into the same position it was in by allowing his
Step-daughter back into the lunch service and then forcing the server to share
Her tips with the person in the kitchen. It was because of the monies taken for lunches
This post makes no money. The judge advocate who is supposed to initialize the
Investigation told me over the phone to be patient. He told me this
Investigation could take weeks, not days but he was present at more than one of
The drunken outbursts. He is a witness, so what other witnesses does he need. I feel like this is going to be turned around
And blame put on me. The funny thing out of all this is no one returns my calls
Or answers my texts.
I hope and pray I get a fair shake. If I do I should be back
In the kitchen immediately but we all know that I will be the one getting the
Shaft. The shame is the Post, District, State and National chapters of the VFW
Will be responsible. God Bless!!!
Respectfully
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