The Hickory Veterans of Foreign War Post 6166 and Normandy Banquet Center, 5550 E. State St., Hermitage, held its grand opening Thursday.

The 20,000-foot facility will feature lunch and dinner daily, with banquet facilities to accommodate up to 500 guests for weddings and special events.

"You don't have to be a member to use the facility," said Woody Steele, home corporation president. "It's open to the public," Steele said, adding that the only part of the post that is strictly for members is the bar.

Tony DeGennaro, the general manager of the post and banquet center, said there are more than 35 functions booked for this year and more than 10 booked for 2002.

The restaurant inside the post has been open for three weeks and DeGennaro said the response has been positive. DeGennaro said for the last three weeks the most popular night has been the fish fry -- on fish-fry nights the kitchen has served more than 300 dinners.

"We give back to the community tremendously," said Steele. "First, the veterans gave to their country," he said, adding that the VFW also sponsors an annual picnic and Little League team. "This is a great organization that gives a lot to the community and looks forward to the community giving back."

DeGennaro said the new post and banquet center "wows" the customers.

"It's gorgeous," said Leona Nemes, a VFW Auxiliary member.

Her husband, John Nemes, who served in the Korean War said, "It's a lot more than I expected."

Mr. and Mrs. Nemes, of South Pymatuning Township, said as they travel throughout the U.S. they try to visit other VFWs.

"We've been to a couple of other new ones, but they could never compare," Nemes said, "this is like a country club."

Nemes said that the new post will be an asset to the community. Mrs. Nemes said that she has seen a lot of new faces recently, "It has definitely increased membership," she said, "especially social membership."

Commander Walt Haniak said the post has 540 regular and 695 social members.

"We've come a long way," Jim Eicher, member and past commander. "We keep moving forward; adding to the community -- that's what we're here for."

Eicher and his wife Donna, of Hermitage, have eaten at the VFW's restaurant and both said the food was good and the prices were competitive.

James C. Lee, member of the VFW for the past 46 years, said he thought the new post was beautiful and was most surprised at how spacious it was.

The Hickory VFW Post 6166 received its original charter in 1946. In 1984, the post bought the former Leeland Golf Course, making it one of two in Pennsylvania to own a course, Haniak said. In July 2000 construction began on the $2.3 million post and Normandy Banquet Center.

"We're very excited about this place," Steele said, encouraging the public to visit.

For more information about the Hickory VFW Post 6166 or the Normandy Banquet Center call 981-2273.