In 1988 an attempt was made to start a Catholic War Veterans Post in Western North Carolina. A meeting notice was sent to the local parishes requesting that a notice be placed in their Sunday bulletins.

In order to attempt to be a regional post the first meeting was set for the Post Home of VFW Post 3040 in West Asheville. Only two people, Herb Reith who called the meeting, and Marge Thomas attended.

This put a damper on the project for a while but in 1990 another attempt was made, but this time it was decided to have the initial meeting in the home parish of Herb Reith, which is located in St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Arden, North Carolina which is located about 8 miles south of Asheville. Nine veterans showed for this meeting from four different parishes. The post was on its way!

Herb Reith was elected Acting Post Commander and Father Pius Keating, a retired Navy Chaplain and Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Swannanoa, NC became the Acting Post Chaplain.

The first order of business was to select a name for the post. It was no contest. Father Ralph F. Neagle was a combat Army chaplain during WWII and after release from active duty became a chaplain in the VA system in the Bath (NY) VA Medical Center. In the early 1950's he arrived at the VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC. He was loved by all whose lives he touched.

Even though Catholics are a very small minority in the area, Father Neagle was nominated by the local Disabled American Veterans for the National Commander's Award in 1983 for his outstanding service to the veterans confined in the Medical Center. When word came back from the DAV National Headquarters in Kentucky that he had been selected for this most prestigious award the entire veteran community rejoiced. He had no knowledge of what was going on until one Sunday when he arrived at the Medical Center to celebrate mass for the patients and staff he found the parking lot full. He was a little confused as he saw no extraordinary activity in or about the hospital. What he did not know was that over 200 veterans, the vast majority being Baptists, were "hiding" in the recreation hall.

While he was donning his vestments people silently filed into the chapel, lining the aisles and walls and overflowing out into the hall. As he entered the chapel he was greeted by a Knights of Columbus 4th degree honor guard and a rousing greeting from the assembled veterans.

By early 1991 15 Catholic veterans had submitted applications and on March 13, 1991 CWV National Headquarters issued a charter and assigned the number 1914 to the post. Charter membership was held open for one year at which time 32 veterans had joined the post.

Acceptance in the veteran community was instantaneous. Marjorie H. Thomas was appointed as the CWV Representative to the Buncombe County Veterans Council. After many faithful years, in 2001, she finally asked to be relieved. Retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Jim Mulligan replaced Marge and still faithfully represents the post on the Council.

Also in 1991, Mary Turner was appointed by CWV National Headquarters to be the CWV VAVS Hospital Representative at the VA Medical Center in Asheville. VAVS stands for Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service. Unfortunately, after about one year in this postion she moved and had to resign. John Short was appointed to replace her. He brought a wealth of knowledge about VAVS activities having served the DAV for 13 years and had over 13,000 hours of volunteer time logged over those years. John passed away in 1998 and Herb Reith then took on the Hospital VAVS Representative duties. In addition Reith also is a CWV National VAVS Representative as well as being the CWV National Webmaster.