Taking care of our veterans and their families

Dear Editor,

The purpose of this letter is to talk of the importance of the VFW Post 1371’s auxiliary, and about remembering the family members of our veterans. War is War. It does not matter which war: WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. War is war and it has a profound affect on the service members and their families. The VFW Auxiliary, formed at the time of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, is devoted to helping the veteran and the veteran’s family – all the time supporting the community and local worthy causes.

So much is written about the military veterans and what they endure for our country; cold, heat, bugs, loss, grief and pain concord all by faith, courage and letters from home. Letters from home giving encouragement, stamina to persevere to complete the mission and come home.

The same strength that flows in the blood of the soldier flows in his family as well. The same courage and the same commitment extends to and from the military family.

The VFW Auxiliary is composed of family members of veterans who support the families of military men and women while the military member is deployed and upon their return home. Mothers, fathers, spouses, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren are who find support and comradeship through the VFW Auxiliary.

The VFW Auxiliary supports the veteran by supporting the veteran’s family. Mutual caring and respect are shown to each family in the group. “Making a difference,” is a theme heard over and over.

Alycia, an Auxiliary member, joined as a way to remember and honor both of her grandfathers. Both were in military and both served in a theater of war. Alycia is very proud of her grandfathers. She is very involved in the community, serving on the board of directors for Tioga County Rural Ministry. “If I can make a difference in just one life, I know I have been successful,” she states.

Linda and Ray, also Auxiliary members, are parents of two Navy veteran daughters. Linda and Ray were introduced to the VFW Auxiliary by a neighbor who is a VFW member. They have joined the Auxiliary and have become very active in the Auxiliary activities.

Yearly, the VFW Auxiliary has donated thousands of dollars to Tioga County worthy causes. The Auxiliary continues to sponsor community activities and organizations. The auxiliary makes donations to: Owego High School Honor Society, the Owego Boys and Girls Club, Tioga County Rural Ministry and more. The Auxiliary has sent care packages to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Auxiliary also prepares “Blizzard Boxes” for the elderly. Members of the Auxiliary teach flag etiquette to first graders for Flag Day ceremonies. Auxiliary members visit area nursing home veterans.

There are so many activities including the Veteran’s Day parade and Memorial Day parade. There is an auxiliary ritual team. Members of the auxiliary help support six food pantries.

There is a Book’s for Kids Day. On this day, children receive a free book. Men and women of the auxiliary of the VFW sponsor two golf tournaments a year to raise money for the community charities. They organize and spend volunteer time for a Kids Picnic. At the picnic there is free food, ice cream, hot dogs and popcorn. There are games for kids and children register to win a free bike.

The Children’s Christmas party and free movie continues to grow each year. In 2016 over 200 children and their families attended. Each child attends a movie at the Tioga Theater and receives a present from Santa.

To support these community activities, the auxiliary has multiple fundraisers and benefits throughout the year. These include the Chicken BBQ, Italian Feast Night, Casino Night, as well as the golf tournaments. There are also Friday night dinners and Tuesday Chicken Wings. The VFW Auxiliary men provide the muscle for manual work and some of the cooking. The auxiliary women also cook and serve the food and drinks. The VFW hall, newly renovated, provides a beautiful facility available for any festive occasions such as weddings, retirements, birthdays and more.

There are many benefits to joining the VFW Auxiliary. Foremost are the friendships gained. Knowing, as a family member of a veteran, you have a place to go and talk to someone who also is a veteran’s family. There are other benefits such as hotel and car rental discounts and much, much more.

To join the VFW Auxiliary a family member must have been in the military and served in an area of war. A DD214 discharge is required.

Making a difference, one veteran, one veteran family at a time in the community is the goal of the VFW Auxiliary

For more information phone 687-1371 or visit VFW Post 1371 at 207 Main St., Owego, N.Y.

Sincerely,

Danielle Ingram