Independence day came early this year for 14 local veterans residing at Arbor Landing. On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Calabash Post 7288 and their Auxiliary members hosted veterans living at Arbor Landing in Shallotte for a holiday luncheon, followed by Bingo to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in patriotic style. Arbor Landing buses brought the vets to the VFW post building, located at 900 Carter Drive in Calabash. The post was decorated in red, white and blue to welcome the vets. A July 4th barbecue was on the menu and guests received hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soft drinks with cake for dessert. After the plates were cleared, Bingo cards were distributed and the games began. Winners received gift bags with prizes like coffee mugs and baseball caps. All the Veterans received bright red poppies, VFW lapel pins, VFW Post 7288 challenge coins and tickets for a door prize. One lucky Vietnam veteran won a hand made patriotic  quilt. A spouse who attended commented on how comfortable the post made the veterans feel and how casual and relaxing the program was, very considerate of the aging veterans needs. 

VFW Calabash Post 7288 hosts community Bingo every Thursday night. The public is invited to play for cash prizes. Doors open at 4:00, kitchen opens at 4:30 and Bingo play begins at 6:30. 

For more than a century, the VFW Auxiliary has united individuals from all walks of life with a common purpose: to improve the lives of veterans, service members, their families and our communities. Auxiliary member Mary Thorsten, the wife of a Marine veteran takes this role seriously. As chairwoman of the Hospital committee she is charged with promoting volunteerism in local hospitals, veterans’ homes, nursing homes, VA and non-VA medical centers and clinics. "I want to do anything I can to help our deserving veterans enjoy a happy life.” She said. "Although we sponsor several programs with the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, we have adopted Arbor Landing, in our local community, as a place we can focus our efforts for community veterans. The veterans in Arbor Landing fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. We are proud of their service and want to give them special attention in recognition.” Mary said they hope to sponsor events like this on a quarterly basis.

VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary President Cathy Milstead co-hosted this event with  Navy veteran and Post 7288 Sr. Vice Commander Jeff Puglisi. Members of the post and auxiliary cooked the meals and served each of the veterans at their tables.  Post Commander and Army veteran, Wayne Grigsby, said” I am so proud of our Auxiliary teammates for what they do for our veterans. God Bless them and God Bless our country”. President Milstead said ”We are so happy to have these veterans visit us at the post and be recognized for their service."   

Team VFW Post 7288 builds camaraderie among United States Veterans of overseas conflicts and the Auxiliary in order to serve Veterans, the military, our community and advocates on behalf of all Veterans. If you are a veteran that served in a war zone you may be eligible  to become a regular member.  If you have a family member who served in a war zone you may become  a member of the Post's Auxiliary. Come by the Post to see what we are all about and pick up a membership form.