The smell of freshly popped popcorn greeted a dozen local veterans and their guests as they arrived for a special movie matinee. On Tuesday August 11, 2026, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Calabash Post 7288 and their Auxiliary members hosted veterans living at Arbor Landing in Shallotte for a movie, complete with popcorn, candy and soda. The Arbor Landing bus brought the vets and their guests to the VFW post building, located at 900 Carter Drive in Calabash, after they had enjoyed lunch at the nearby American Legion hall. The VFW post was gaily decorated like a movie theatre to welcome the vets.

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. VFW Auxiliary member Mary Thorsten, chairwoman of the Hospital committee, is charged with promoting volunteerism in local hospitals, veterans’ homes, nursing homes, VA and non-VA medical centers and clinics. "We have adopted Arbor Landing, in our local community, as a place we can focus our efforts for community veterans.” She said. "We wanted to give these seniors a day out and thought, what better activity than a funny movie on a hot summer afternoon”. The movie they chose was "Mr. Roberts”, a 1955 WWII comedy starring Henry Fonda and Jack Lemmon as Ensign Pulver, for which he won best supporting actor. The story is about a naval officer (Mr. Roberts, played by Fonda) longing for active duty during World War II as he clashes with his vainglorious captain (James Cagney) aboard a backwater supply ship. Ensign Pulver is a womanizing con artist who, along with a crew of merry misfits, turns life aboard the ship upside down.

"There is nothing like a good belly laugh shared with a group of friends” quipped post commander Wayne Grigsby, as the room burst into laughter watching an indignant Captain played by Cagney sputtering with frustration at his crew. At one point in the movie, a timid Ensign Pulver confronts the tyrannical Captain. "Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin' palm tree overboard! Now what's all this crud about no movie tonight?" . While the Sailors in the film might have been punished with no movie, both the VFW Volunteers sponsoring the event and the visiting seniors greatly enjoyed their afternoon matinee. 

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.