History

Bunting-McWilliams Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 658 was Chartered March 8, 1921 and is named after Maconites, Corporal C. L. Bunting Jr., and Private Ernest P. McWilliams U. S. Army, whom both died in combat during World War I in Europe in 1918.   Post 658 Charter pre-dates the VFW Department of Georgia Charter by twenty-three years. VFW Post 658 is the oldest active Post in the State of Georgia.

Macon VFW Post 658 exists to accomplish the purpose of Section 3 of the Congressional Charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States:

"That the purpose of this corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, and educational; to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their widows and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American Freedom, and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies, whomsoever."

To become eligible for membership a person must have (1) served honorably as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States in a foreign war, insurrection, or expedition, which service has been recognized as campaign-medal service and is governed by the authorization of the award of a campaign badge by the Government of the United States; or (2) while a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, served honorably on the Korean peninsula or in its territorial waters for not less than 30 consecutive days, or a total of 60 days, after June 30, 1949; or (3) while a member of the armed forces serving in an area which entitled the individual to receive special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger.