MELBOURNE, Fla. — Rodney Deflumeri, commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 32, says the nonprofit's building in Melbourne has seen better days. 

The organization has long been dedicated to helping disabled veterans, but now, Deflumeri says it is in need of assistance itself.

Originally built in 1947, the building once served as the Eau Gallie Chamber of Commerce and was a welcome center for travelers along U.S. 1.

According to Deflumeri, veterans from all over Brevard County, and even from South Florida, come to the chapter for help with their free benefits paperwork.

He says that right now, the first thing they see is a building in bad shape.

“I could take a stick and poke a hole through it, it’s so rotted,” Deflumeri said.

There is rotted wood on the main building and storage sheds, rusted metal, and even flood damage.

“It’s pretty unreal this is the type of environment that the veterans have to come to, and the type of environment they have to sit in, while we are doing their claims,” Deflumeri said. 

He said that on top of the building's poor condition, the chapter has simply run out of room and is bursting at the seams.

Only 25 veterans can be seated as they wait in cramped quarters for their appointments. Deflumeri said the lack of space has become a serious challenge, because so far this year the organization has helped nearly 1,300 veterans, and there are still several months left in 2024.

Veterans like former Army National Guard member Dick Korn said the people at DAV Chapter 32 are wonderful — the building, not so much.

“The more they have to work with as far as facilities, the more people they can serve,” Korn said.

Disabled American Veterans rents the property from the city of Melbourne for $1 a month.

Deflumeri says that is generous, but they still need financial help to make his vision for the property become reality.

“It should be something where a veteran comes here to do claims work and they should be proud to come here, proud to see this area,” he said.

Melbourne City Council member and retired Army Lt. Col. Tim Thomas issued the following statement to Spectrum News 13 about the issue:

"As a Melbourne City Councilman who is also a disabled Veteran, I understand completely the importance of what DAV 32 does to ensure Veterans in Brevard county are properly compensated for their service related injuries. The City of Melbourne fully supports Commander Rodney Deflumeri’s efforts to rehabilitate and improve the facilities currently being used for these purposes. We appreciate his passion. City staff and I have offered strategies and help to ensure he is successful in his endeavors. We love our Veterans and will continue to do everything we can to support them."