Veteran dismayed by termination of meetings at library
As a taxpayer in East Brunswick, a patron of The Friends of the Library in East Brunswick and adjutant of AMVETS (American Veterans) Post No. 34 in East Brunswick, I find it necessary to write this letter, and I sincerely hope that every citizen in East Brunswick and the surrounding communities reads it.

AMVETS Post No. 34 has held its meetings in the East Brunswick Public Library for years on the first Monday of every month, except August when no meetings are held. Even though there has been no charge to us, we have always donated $100 for the privilege of meeting there, and in recent years, we have given the library $125.

We have always known that the policy at the library was that we had to have at least 15 members attend the meetings to use the library. However, members, although remaining active, moved away but would attend when they were in the area, and many members became unable to drive and would have to depend on other veterans to take them to the meetings. Also, let us not forget that some members pass on; after all, we are losing thousands of World War II veterans every day. We still have 42 very active members but have had only eight, 10, 12 and 17, at most, attend the meetings.

Well, because of our monthafter month attendance being less than 15, the East Brunswick Public Library saw fit to cancel our use of the library after the July 7 meeting. I find this very appalling and certainly not patriotic at all. I served in the U.S. Navy in World War II with Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's 7th Fleet and certainly feel that this meeting-place cancellation is one of the low points of my military life.

In closing, let me say that Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 133 in East Brunswick has come to our rescue and has granted us permission to meet in their new facility off Cranbury Road.
Preston Powell
Adjutant
AMVETS Post No. 34
East Brunswick