Limestone County, Alabama, has been the scene of some disagreements between veteran organizations and the local newspaper. Officers from three veterans organizations approached the Limestone County Commission on Tuesday protesting a series of articles printed in The News-Courier, which questioned the veterans’ use of bingo funds. The officers said that the articles were disrespectful, and also questioned the aptitude of the county commissioners.
Roy Coulter, quartermaster and adjutant of VFW Post 4765 asked the commissioners if they believed that there was any misuse of bingo funds, and said that the articles have really disrespected the commissioners.

The three veterans organizations are VFW, Viet Nam Veterans, and Disabled American Veterans. All three claim that bingo is their only source of funding. Because of Alabama legislation, the majority of the bingo profits must be used for charity. Articles in the local newspaper said that much of the profits intended for charity were spent on regular expenses of the organizations. In response, the veterans organizations claimed that they are accountable to authorities, and if the authorities, including the IRS, saw no problems with the spending, then the newspapers should keep out of it.

In response to claims of misuse, representatives from the organizations cited scholarships given to three local students, using $4000 in earnings garnered from bingo games.
County commissioners told the organizations that there is no problem with current spending trends. As the law currently stands, the organizations are well within the limits and requirements of the law.