John Canfield is a World War II veteran who values Sacramento County’s contributions toward a veteran’s center on Stockton Boulevard.

But the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 67, of which Canfield is a member, faces difficult economic times.

The county, too, is in a financial crisis and faces a projected $180 million deficit. One of its numerous proposed cuts would halt $16, 476 in funding for VFW Post 67 during the 2009/2010 fiscal year.

Canfield, 85, told the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Thursday that the VFW post’s revenues have declined “drastically.” Many of the post’s members served in World War II and the Korean War, Canfield said, and these veterans are reaching the end of their lives.

“Most of us are, like me, 85-years-old,” Canfield said. “And death is taking its toll.”

Canfield also said that if the county drops funding for the VFW post, it sends the message that the county “does not appreciate the effort” of the young men and women serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and in other locations throughout the world.

He said he didn’t know the solution to the county’s situation, but he urged the county to consider the VFW post and “seriously consider what can be done.”

The veteran’s code requires that the county provide a meeting-place for veterans, Canfield noted.

The audience at Thursday’s county budget workshop -- estimated to be 250 people seated inside the Board of Supervisors’ chambers -- applauded Canfield’s remarks.

Canfield told The Sacramento Press that he served as a paratrooper with 82nd Airborne Division in World War II and has lived in Sacramento for more than 50 years.

The county’s budget is tentatively scheduled to be released June 5. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to evaluate and adopt the budget June 15, June 17 and June 18.