You are eligible to be a member of any VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Men’s Auxiliary if you are a man over the age of sixteen, a citizen of the United States, and are a husband, widower, father, son, grandson, brother, foster brother, step brother, foster son, or step son of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The very first thing you should know—and I will attest to—is that these organizations are not formed just for a cheap drinking establishment; we are comrades in aiding our parent organization, the VFW, our Veterans and our community families. We have standing committees for membership, relief, publicity, youth activities, Americanism, community activities, and safety. We have fundraising functions and urge everyone to volunteer their time and expertise to make the events enjoyable, as well as profitable. We have as our objective to promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism and constructive service to local communities.
The VFW has a National Home for Veterans Children, and they are celebrating their 90th year this year. The National Home’s community is open to active duty military personnel, Veterans, and—recognizing that the effects of war can last for generation—descendants of members of the VFW and its auxiliaries. The families can be one or both parents with one or more children. Families are welcomed to their small community, where they can live for up to four years. They work to identify what they need and want to accomplish, during which time they are provided with housing, education, day care, basic needs, recreation, case management, and a military and family helpline. We urge everyone to get involved by telling others about it and by donating to their fund or holding a fundraiser for them.
VFW Men’s Auxiliary 6658 President Leo Hobbs does a great job of leading. Leo is regularly on top of things; when we have a fundraising feed, he keeps things well organized and moving. We have a meeting once a month on the first Wednesday. From October through April, we hold our meetings at the Post, located on the square in Emmitsburg; from May through September, we hold our meetings at VFW Park, located off Harney Road (off of Rt. 140, east of Emmitsburg). We usually arrive at either site around 6:15 p.m. for the meal we have before our meeting, so we can start the meeting at 7:00 p.m. We have a few members who have been in the military but did not qualify as regular members because of the times and places served when they were in, and they are very welcome as our comrades. Our treasurer, Steve Wojciechowski (he says pronounce it “where’s your house key”), is one with a military history, and I would like to interview him some time. He was a Sgt. Major, and I’m sure he has led an interesting life for me to write about. One of our member’s fathers was once Post Commander, Luman Norris’s son, Luman and he is one of our trustees. Leo’s son, Josh, is our secretary or adjutant and takes a great interest in doing his job; he is also at most of our functions and does a great job on the floor keeping our patrons happy. Mark Zurgable is our chaplain and is also an asset when it comes to our functions; he will do just about anything that is asked of him. Mark’s dad was one of the members of the VFW who helped keep things together with the Post. I am senior vice president and truly enjoy my position and all of the functions I am privileged to attend and help out with. My dad was also a member of the VFW and was in WWII. Dick Fleagle is also a trustee and a great help at our functions. Lewis Smith is also an asset when it comes to functions for fundraising. The people I have mentioned so far as Men’s Auxiliary members have over 500 years of age between them, with me included, and it’s about time for some younger blood to come in and get involved. We have a new incentive for joining our organization—besides the obvious one of giving you a sense of satisfaction in helping Veterans, kids, and your community—we are going to begin in January to give a PUFL (a paid-up-for-life membership) to one lucky winner each January. Stop in and get an application with all of the details on how you can qualify for the PUFL; it is really quite easy.
We have our annual Shrimp and Chicken Feed coming up at the Post on November 7, 2015, and it would be a great opportunity for you to see everyone in action and better yet come in and fill out an application (available at the bar.) Ee have a meeting coming up November 4, and we can vote you in just in time to give us a hand at the feed. I would sure like to see you there and I’m sure the rest of the members will feel the same way. November 14 we are having a Turkey and Ham Give-A-Way at Post 6658 and all you have to do is show up at 6:00-10:00 p.m. and every half hour a number will be drawn and a turkey or ham will be given away and the nice thing about it is, it doesn’t cost you anything because you will be given a ticket at the door when you arrive absolutely free. There will also be light refreshment for everyone to eat free of charge. It is our way of saying thank you for attending our feeds throughout the year. We also raffle off meat trays and oysters and, maybe, bacon. We will be holding another identical event on December 12th so mark your calendars. We are all looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming events starting on November 7. A big thank you in advance to all of you.
I look forward to seeing everyone out trick or treating on October 31 in Emmitsburg and seeing you in the parade. I have been asked to be the official Halloween photographer and plan on taking a ton of pictures of you to put in The Catoctin Banner. Don’t forget to give me your name— how else are we going to recognize you?
God Bless the United States of America, God Bless the American Veteran, and God Bless You.
