Those who know Brian Sharp won’t be surprised to hear how he’s taken over the water distribution program at the Libby VFW Harper Erdman Post 1548.

Leadership is nothing new to the 40-year-old Libby native, who became the Post 1548 Commander in October. The U.S. Army Green Beret soldier, who was a Special Forces sniper, was badly wounded in combat in Afghanistan nearly seven years ago.

Sharp recovered rapidly from a bullet that shattered his right hip and damaged internal organs. His family has grown rapidly from his wife, Cierra, and daughter Audrey, to a clan that now includes four children and another on the way.

The VFW began the local water distribution Dec. 26 for area residents affected by the boil water order following massive flooding nearly one month ago. It will remain open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Sunday as long as the boil order is in effect.

“We were ready and more than willing to take it over,” Sharp told The Western News. “VFW posts in many places were very active in getting water and financial support to our area following the flooding. We’ve had contributions from Montana, including Bigfork and Kalispell, and across the country.”

Sharp knew once the Red Cross left Libby, the VFW would be a perfect place to hand out bottled water.

“I know how much it takes to keep the Memorial Center open and we’re already open, so it made sense to do it here,” Sharp said. “Vets and our members are really built to serve our community. We’ve chosen the path of service and this is one way we can continue that.”

In addition to the VFW, support has come from Montana Disaster Emergency Services, which coordinates comprehensive emergency management in Montana.

“We’ve also had two private benefactors and plenty of small ones, too,” Sharp said.

The new Post Commander has also been busy hauling water to the public schools in Libby.

“Libby Elementary and Libby Middle High School both reached out for help on the first day back from winter break,” Sharp said. “We’ve served 100 families a day and distributed over 100,000 pounds of water (15,000 gallons) since we began the work here.

“We’ve had 20 people volunteering and we’ll welcome more,” Sharp said.

He also wants people to know the VFW is more than just a bar.

“We’re a full blown community center and we’re open to the public,” Sharp said. “We hosted a free community dinner Sunday that served 100 individuals and that’s a bi-weekly event. We also hosted a corn hole tournament in here the other night.”

Sharp said he feels fortunate to have the volunteers he’s had.

“We’ve had a roster of volunteers to distribute water and they’ve included Post members, citizens and folks who just want to help,” he said.

Lincoln County Health Department’s Zach Sherbo and Sara Long were beyond impressed with the VFW’s can-do attitude.

“The Libby VFW has been an amazing partner and their willingness to take it over was remarkable,” Long said. “They were ready to take it over before we were.”

For Sherbo, the county Public Health Manager, he’s more than confident in the new partner.

“I’m happy and confident we have a partner here that will make it work, however it needs to be,” he said.

For more information on the VFW, contact Sharp by e-mail, [email protected], or message us through our Facebook page, Libby VFW 1548.

    Lincoln County Public Health Manager Zach Sherbo helps Libby VFW Post 1548 Commander Brian Sharp move a pallet of bottled water Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025, for distribution to area residents affected by flooding in December. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby VFW Post 1548 members Keith Kidwell and Mike Laveway load bottled water into a vehicle Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025, for distribution to area residents affected by flooding in December. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)