Grant will go towards critical infrastructure project to ensure the Post can continue serving the St. Clair Shores community
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (June 4, 2026) — With the help and advocacy of Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), the Walter F. Bruce VFW Post was recently awarded a $252,000 grant from the Michigan Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). As the largest VFW Post in the state, the organization will use the funding to complete long-needed infrastructure improvements, strengthening its ability to serve its members and continue supporting the broader St. Clair Shores community for years to come.
“The VFW Bruce Post has been a cornerstone of St. Clair Shores for decades — serving as an integral place in our community where veterans can connect with one another and receive support and resources,” said Sen. Hertel. “The veterans who rely on the space for a sense of belonging after returning home from service deserve for it to be safe, accessible, and equipped to meet their needs. This funding will help ensure the Post can continue to be a second home for veterans and a valued community gathering place for many years into the future.”
Originally founded in 1932, the Bruce Post has grown to be the largest Post in Michigan with over 1,500 members. For the past six decades, the Post has operated from its home on Jefferson Avenue, just north of 11 Mile Road, serving as a hub for veterans and community members alike. Each week, hundreds of veterans and their family members visit the Post to share meals, connect with fellow service members, and build community. The facility also hosts community events and supports charitable causes.
Over the years, Post members and volunteers have dedicated many hours to maintaining and improving the facility — helping with everything from carpentry and masonry to plumbing and electrical work. However, one critical project has been beyond their capacity. This grant funding will help the Post repave their parking lot, which has not been resurfaced in over 40 years and currently poses a safety hazard.
“Since the Bruce Post’s founding over 90 years ago, our members have always taken pride in our facility and worked continuously to maintain and improve it, donating countless hours of labor to keep it running,” said VFW Bruce Post Commander David Ellis. “However, repaving our parking lot has been a project that is far beyond our ability to fix on our own. Thanks to this grant Senator Hertel helped us secure, we’ll be able to finally address this long-standing concern and ensure our Post remains accessible and welcoming for the thousands of veterans, families, and community members who visit us each year.”
The funding comes from the DMVA’s Veterans Nonprofit Improvement Grant program, which provides critical support for capital improvement projects that enhance service delivery, improve safety, and extend the useful life of facilities dedicated to those who have served. As Chair of the committee responsible for the DMVA budget, Sen. Hertel has been a consistent champion for Michigan veterans — helping secure funding not only for this program but also to help veterans access their full slate of benefits, support the state’s veteran homes, expand veteran suicide prevention programs, and bolster benefits for servicemembers.
During the grant application process, Sen. Kevin Hertel visited the Bruce Post to better understand the challenges facing their facility.
In November 2025, Sen. Kevin Hertel attended the Bruce Post’s annual Veterans Day event to honor those who have served our nation.
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