NAHANT — Friday evening in the historic seaside building overlooking Egg Rock, members of the Veterans Social gathered for their weekly event, where they drink, laugh, and reminisce together.
The post, chartered in 1919 following World War I, now calls a restored 1899 life-saving station home.
“We’re pretty blessed for the location and the building,” Dennis Treece, the post’s commander, said, gesturing toward the sweeping ocean views.
“This was an actual life-saving station, which predated the Coast Guard… They actually built this in 1899. And it’s still here,” he added.
The building itself has become a symbol of renewal. Once abandoned in the 1980s, it was restored after the American Legion contributed $250,000 to jumpstart a larger preservation effort.
“We donated half of that money… so about $250,000 to the preservation trust,” Treece explained. That seed money helped secure matching funds from the Community Preservation Committee to complete the multimillion-dollar restoration. The Legion has operated from the site since 2011.
But the Veterans Social is about far more than the view.
“It’s not a big limb, it’s not a drinking club,” Treece emphasized. “We’re open Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., and people do drink.”
The relaxed weekly gathering offers coffee, soda, and even nonalcoholic Guinness alongside traditional fare. The goal, members say, is fellowship.
Throughout the year, the Legion hosts and supports a wide range of events. One of the most meaningful is the annual flag retirement ceremony held on the beach.
“We collect flags from all over the place, and we retire them,” the commander said.
Citing federal code, he noted, “Title 4 U.S. Code says, when [a flag] is old and soiled… it should be honorably retired.” The ceremony is carefully timed with the tide. “I mark where the tide will be. And then I time it so that when we leave, the tide will take care of it.”
Fundraising is another cornerstone of the post’s mission, and an event will be held Feb. 27 featuring a local Irish band.
“It’s going to be a fundraiser for the American Legion scholarship,” Bob Fields, an active member of the legion, explained, noting that the Sons of the Legion are helping host the event.
The post also organizes a car show and the annual Hoompa Nickel road race. “Between the Hoompa Nickel road race and the car show… we raised over $10,000 for different activities,” Treece said. Funds have supported veterans’ families, replaced heating systems, and even filled oil tanks for those in need.
Importantly, the Legion seeks to shift public perception of veterans. “I don’t like the ‘poor veteran, all the veterans need help’ narrative,” Fields said.
“Many veterans are still able-bodied and want to support the community,” he said. “We don’t just try to do it ourselves. We try to include the community, because, frankly, we can’t run a fundraiser here without including the community.”
The post also works closely with its Auxiliary, which coordinates outreach projects and summer cookouts for veterans’ homes. “They’re very supportive of all of the veterans, fundraising, and everything that we do,” Jeanne Fiore said.
As the sun set beyond the water, the commander reflected on the setting and the spirit of the organization. “It is a special place,” he said. “That’s why we’re glad to be a part of it.”
