The adobe ranch style Veterans of Foreign Wars building was built between March, 1948 – June, 1950 to honor Private Leslie Lee Garratt, who was the first young man from San Juan Bautista to die in action during World War II.

 The Post’s hand-crafted, wood-bound 16” x 26” scrapbook has a first entry that reads “Origin of VFW Post in San Juan Bautista. In the month of February 1946, two local citizens by the names of Alex Zeller and Joe Cullumber, both recently discharged veterans of World War II, reported that if enough veterans were interested in a post to be established in San Juan Bautista to contact them with said purpose in mind. Requirements would mean the signature of between 20 and 50 veterans. The drive was then started to secure the required members.”

By 1948 the site in San Juan Bautista had been donated to the VFW by Art Nyland and the cement for the project was furnished free by the Pacific Portland Cement Company, located just outside out of town. The building construction was an all-volunteer effort with Veteran’s from San Juan giving significant amounts of their time and talent to see the project through. Local Veteran Alex Zeller, a renowned Bavarian wood carver, sketched the original artist rendering of the proposed building, then carved the interior rafters, and painted the Monterey coast mural on the north interior wall. Adobe brick and local redwood were used, and the walls are supported in part by mission-style buttresses.

A sign above the entry to the Post reads: “1946 This building is dedicated to the memory of San Juan Bautista Veterans who returned home victorious at the end of WWII and built this historic post. Many have crossed the river to rest in the shade of the trees. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori (‘it is sweet and honorable to die for one’s country.’)”

This marker outside the hall, initialed by construction volunteers Leonard Caetano and Joe Cullumber Jr., who was Private Leslie Lee Garratt’s brother-in-law, notes the dates of construction.

A new tile roof, covered patio and resurfaced floors were completed in 2016 and 2017. The active VFW Post holds meetings and special events in the building today and rents the hall out.

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