Old ordnances spark excitement at VFW

SANDPOINT — Looking to give the local VFW post a more military vibe, commander Ken Hunt put the word out.

Anyone with old military paraphernalia was invited to bring it to VFW Post 2453. A month or two ago, an old military rifle was donated. Another veteran, a Navy Seal, offered to bring in a vest and other training gear.

In late July, a veteran brought in old ordnances and rounds for the post to display.

"Generally, it will say for training only or it will say inert," Hunt told the Daily Bee, adding the color of lettering and other methods are used to clearly identify live and dummy ordnance.

Both were missing on several of the items and the fuses on several of the items "seemed iffy," Hunt said. 

The VFW commanders said he called Sandpoint Police to have them come take a look at the items. The responding officer, also a veteran, agreed some of the items might be questionable.

Soon, three officers from Fairchild Air Force Base who deal with ordnances were en route and several more officers were pulling into the post's parking lot as were several emergency medical technicians, Hunt said.

Among the items dropped off at the VFW post were several mortar rounds, several anti-tank rounds, and several bazooka rounds.

While the mortar rounds looked like they had been fired, Hunt said the casing on several of the mortar rounds had TNT printed on them and the color of the wording did not match what it should be if the items were dummy or test rounds. Also, the primer on an anti-tank round didn't appear to have been set off but otherwise seemed safe.

While one of the bazooka rounds had its wires clipped and appeared to have been used, Hunt said the other one did not, meaning it could have been a live round.

Hunt said that, in the interest of safety and following protocol, he contacted local law enforcement.

After a review by the military experts, Hunt said the mortar rounds were determined to be "questionable" and one of the fuses on the rounds was determined to be potentially unsafe as well.

In the end, the two mortar rounds, the 57mm anti-tank round to the local range where they were blown up, Hunt said. 

However, the bazooka rounds were determined to be safe and are on display at the Sandpoint VFW post.

Hunt said he appreciates the response by Sandpoint Police.

"To their credit, they didn't ask at all who turned these in," he said. "No one was trying to do anything wrong. If folks want to bring stuff in, we'd love to display it. If they're not sure (what it is or the condition), we can help."

The best thing to do if you find an old military ordnance is to call the police, which is what VFW officials did, Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon said.

"If you locate old military ordnance, please treat with extreme caution because the device can remain intact for decades," he said. "They can be highly dangerous and they need to be handled by professionals."

If residents find something that appears to be old military ordnance, his advice: don't move it. Instead, call local law enforcement who can assist with contacting the appropriate personnel.

Hunt said veterans who want to bring in military items for display can call the VFW at 208-263-9613.