Black Mountain VFW Post 9157 commemorates triumph, tragedy and sacrifice on 9/11
Annual golf tournament fundraiser honors 250 years of the nation on 25th Anniversary of attack
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 31, 2026
The 6th Annual Black Mountain VFW Golf Tournament, supporting Post 9157, will take place, Sept. 11, at the Black Mountain Golf Course. Photo by Fred McCormick
On five occasions since 2020, members of Black Mountain VFW Post 9157 gathered on the bright green grass of the nearby golf course to pay homage to fellow veterans who served the country.
As the local nonprofit organization prepares to host its 6th Annual Black Mountain VFW Golf Tournament, beginning at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 11, the fundraiser’s return to the Black Mountain Golf Course marks a “special year” for the event.
“This is actually the first time this tournament has been held on 9/11,” according to Post Commander David Hana, one the founding organizers of the event. “It’s also on the 250th anniversary of the nation, which gives it a little more meaning.”
The 18-hole captain’s choice tournament, featuring teams of four players, is sponsored by nearly a dozen local businesses. Registration for the event is $100 per person or $400 per team and available through email at post9157@ncvfw.org. All funds raised benefit the local nonprofit, also known as the Greene-Leagon-Simpson-Lindsey Post.
“This event is a fundraiser specifically for our VFW,” Hana said. “The money we raise helps us keep the program going and continue the progress we’ve made on fixing and restoring our building.”
The tournament was canceled last year due to ongoing repairs to the golf course.
“The impact of Helene on this community continues to be felt by so many. A lot of people think things have been rebuilt, but they have not,” Hana said. “People and organizations, including our post, are still feeling that impact and working through things. Our post flooded, the roof had damage and we’re still dealing with that, while the golf course itself is in a recovery period.”
The return of the fundraiser, which will begin with registration and lunch, followed by a 12:30 p.m. ceremony commemorating the occasion before a 1 p.m. shotgun start, represents a milestone, according to the post commander.
Black Mountain VFW Post Commander David Hana welcomes golfers to the organization’s fundraising tournament in 2024. The event will return, Sept. 11, following a one-year hiatus, commemorating 250 years of the nation and the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Photo by Fred McCormick
“Not only is it significant from a Helene recovery standpoint, it’s also significant in our nation’s history, considering what this year represents and what the day itself represents,” Hana said. “That’s especially true for our veterans. Our theme for the ceremony will honor 250 years of America and the 25th anniversary of 9/11, but what we’re speaking about is the importance of being involved in the community.”
The Black Mountain VFW includes around 90 members, according to the commander, while approximately 12 are active, attending monthly meetings and community engagements. Local outreach has become a priority for the post in recent years, he added.
“We all have given our lives to protect the freedoms of our nation, and although we move on from our military service, our service never stops,” Hana said. “This VFW post provides a conduit to engage with and continue to support each other. But, it also gives us an opportunity support our community, our youth and others who might need it.”
The Black Mountain VFW was founded in 1948, offering local veterans returning from foreign wars camaraderie and advocacy resources. In recent years, the nonprofit organization has prioritized updating its aging building near Lake Tomahawk.
“Two weeks ago, we received the Community Improvement Award from the Black Mountain Beautification Committee for the work we’ve done to the exterior,” Hana said. “We’ve still got a long way to go, but we’re trying to make our corner of Cragmont Avenue more appealing all the time.”
The annual golf tournament, he added, represents an opportunity to support the post, which is “working on the building while working on veterans’ lives.”
“The tournament is filling up, but we encourage anybody who is interested to reach out,” Hana said. “It’s a great way to spend the day and helps support the organization and our mission in the community.”