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WARREN -- For 100 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1090 has provided support to local veterans of the community.
Following a celebratory veterans service at First Presbyterian Church followed by a parade through downtown Warren on Friday, the VFW opened its doors for a community open house.
The local VFW, which is located on High Street in Warren, was established on Nov. 23, 1923, four years after World War I 18 years after the Spanish-American War and 18 years before the start of World War II.
VFW Cmdr. Chuck Ciapala said "100 years is a long time for any veterans organization."
He the VFW post works hard to take care of veterans and their families.
Ciapala said the post is known for the events it has hosted over the years, including ballroom dances on weekends.
It works to provide scholarships to students and to get food to those in need through a food pantry.
"The VFW for all that it does still stands tall 100 years later," he said.
In addition to Ciapala, who has been commander since 2022, other past commanders who attended the service at the church included Jim Yost who served from 2018-2021, and Sam Ruckman who served in 2007-08 and 2021-22.
Among the many people stopping at the VFW post was Albert Kosiba, 103, of Warren, and a World War II Army veteran who served from 1942 to 1945.
Kosiba, who was stationed in France, England and Belgium, said he didn't expect to be alive at 103 and attending the VFW's 100th birthday.
"I feel very lucky to be here so long. With Veterans Day it is important that no one forget the sacrifices made by so many. It is important that people show gratitude to those who have served and protected this country," Kosiba said.
Kosiba said it is "a wonderful thing that you show your gratitude for living in a country that's free."
"Be thankful for what you have and treat your friends and neighbors with respect and dignity. I think if you do that, you are a true American," Kosiba said.
Herm Breuer, director of the Trumbull County Veteran Services Commission, said the VFW post provided a place to socialize to those who returned from overseas.
"At the VFW they found the camaraderie that they had missed. The veterans' organizations are the same today as they have always been," he said.
Breuer said in 2005, when he came back from Iraq, the VFW was the organization that reached out to him.
Mayor Doug Franklin presented a proclamation to the VFW, noting the milestone of 100 years.
"This is truly special to have an organization like the VFW 1090 to be celebrating 100 years," he said.