Eureka VFW: A visit with Commander Doug Dickover

The Sentinel was honored to visit with Commander Doug Dickover of the Eureka Veterans of Foreign Wars. Commander Dickover, a member of the VFW for over 20 years and the Eureka VFW Post 8194 for almost six, served and saw combat in the Marines for 25 years.

The Post “was formed by World War II veterans who came back from the war” in 1949. Dickover related, “Last year was our 75th anniversary” and descendants and relatives of original post members were recognized, “so it was a nice celebration for that.” 

His wife’s grandmother’s husband was an original member and is the “oldest surviving spouse.” He said it “was fun to recognize her” and “all of the family members that are here really enjoyed that.”

The Eureka VFW currently has 24 members. The oldest is 87 and the youngest 28. Dickover said to join the American Legion, you can have “just served in the military to be part of that, but for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, you actually have to have served in an overseas combat environment, so it’s a little bit harder to get members.”

VFW community events include the Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, “which includes playing taps and a rifle volley over the county cemeteries here in town, in Eureka.” 

They also do an annual softball tournament that includes local teams and teams from other states. 

The 39th annual VFW softball tournament will take place July 19 and 20. The 2026 tournament will be the VFW’s 40th anniversary, “as well as the 250th anniversary of the nation, so we’re going to try to do fireworks and some other fun stuff.”

As always, the VFW will have a float in the Fourth of July parade. On Aug. 5 in Eureka and Aug. 6 in Crescent Valley, the VFW will have a booth at the National Night Out. The VFW-sponsored Eureka Car Show will be Sept. 13. The VFW will have booths at the Eureka Wine Walk on Sept. 20 and will host the Veterans’ Day dinner on Nov. 8.

The Eureka VFW sponsors annual writing contests for junior high and high school youth for which they give cash prizes and submit winning essays to the state level for national competition. This year’s high school winner went to state and won second place, and the junior high winner got third place at regionals.

The Post provides veterans’ assistance. As service officer as well as post commander, Dickover “keeps phone numbers, points of contact, emails, everything else for all different types of service organizations that can provide care.” 

Presently, they are “dealing with a dental organization that provides free dental care for veterans,” such as replacement teeth.

Asked about the VA health system, Dickover said, “There needs to be more awareness about it because we still have too many veterans that are suicidal or commit suicide every year, so it’s very frustrating.”

He pointed out, “There are a lot less military members that were involved in the Global War on Terrorism as opposed to Vietnam.” Therefore, Dickover said, it’s difficult for the VA to understand what those veterans were exposed to and the long and short-term effects causing “the problems that we’re seeing.” 

He said, “The VA is trying very hard to provide services…and is improving for sure; it just takes time.” 

He’d like to see “more of the right people that want to be there to be able to help those veterans. What’s been really great about this place is we’ve been able to bring a lot more involvement with the post, get us more attention throughout the state…We’ve been trying really hard to get involvement with the other posts and their events.”

Speaking with the Sentinel on Flag Day, Commander Dickover said, “It’s very nice, that military parade for the Army’s birthday. It’s nice to actually see the military recognized again, and it was very nice to see that the Army reached their recruitment goals finally again and they did it four months into the year. It’s nice to see there’s a lot more confidence in the military, which brings confidence into our veterans’ community.” 

Dickover said the VFW park in Eureka, donated by the son of an original member, is in the process of being built. Once an architectural firm finalizes and certifies the plans, they can start construction.

Commander Dickover said, “We are very thankful for all the support this past 76 years, and we know it will continue. Between the county and the rec board and other agencies, they’ve been very supportive…We’re trying to get out there more often so that they are aware of us as well.” Dickover added, “We have way more veterans in the community that are not eligible for the VFW, but there is not another veterans’ service organization like the American Legion or anything else available…just because you are not part of our post does not mean we are not there for you, the veteran and their family.”

The Eureka VFW meets in the Eureka County Commission room on the second Thursday of every month. Thanks to the technology that links the Crescent Valley Town Center to the Eureka County Commission room, VFW members in Crescent Valley can attend meetings.

Those interested and eligible to join or wishing to support the Eureka VFW can reach out via eurekavfw.org or via their Facebook page.