VFW Post 7272 Honors Volunteer Chef Crawford with Award
By David Dunbar
“I am surprised, and I’m not often surprised,” says Kirk Crawford at a ceremony honoring him for becoming the latest recipient of the VFW Post in Bellingham’s Annual Appreciation Award.
Crawford currently donates his time and expertise to the Post by preparing appetizers and sandwiches for attendees at the every-other-Friday night Karaoke games. He’s a self-employed carpenter who lives in Bellingham and volunteers to help with a variety of projects at the Post (including plowing winter snow in the parking lot and some small construction projects).
“I appreciate the freedom we have in America,” explains Crawford, “and I respect our veterans, and I want to contribute to their well-being.”
The Award reads: In recognition of your unwavering support of our post and various veterans’ organizations throughout the years, thank you from everyone at VFW Post 7272 in Bellingham, MA.
“It’s a well-deserved award,” says Senior Vice Commander Steve Shea. “Kirk is the most thoughtful, best guy ever!” Commander Kevin Calnan agrees and adds, “He embodies our key values of patriotism,community, and veterans.”
Crawford, who was working in the Post’s kitchen that evening, knew nothing about the coming award presentation. “Then I noticed my mother, two sisters, and more family members coming in and I knew something was up,” he recalls.
“What I do as a volunteer, I could not do without the help of family and friends.”
He spends four to five hours in the Post’s kitchen every other Friday evening. He also cooks for the monthly Quarter Auction. His menus include hamburgers, hot dogs, an occasional American Chop Suey, and more. “I’ve been involved with cooking and catering with family and friends for more than 20 years,” says Crawford.
A big moment came for Crawford when he had the opportunity to cook for a battalion of U.S. Marines (about 600) at Fort Devins in Massachusetts. He and a friend prepared “200 pounds of pork butt… we came to say thanks to the Marines for their service.”
Crawford started the popular annual “Smoke Off,” which has turned into the largest money-maker of the year for the Bellingham Post. The event features team cooking and a competition for cash prizes. He runs a second Smoke Off at the Bellingham Sportsman Club.
He’s at the Post for other big events during the year including Memorial Day, Mothers’ Day, Veterans’ Day, and at Christmas where besides cooking he dresses up as Santa.
In addition, he cooks at events hosted by the Post’s Auxiliary, which included a cookout in Bellingham for veterans from the Brockton VA. Crawford is a member of the Auxiliary.
What’s his favorite dish? “Roast beef dinner!”
