Pictured is the Girls’ Unit participating in a local veteran ceremony.
This Memorial Day parade marked an end to a tradition for the V.F.W. Post 1371 Junior Girl’s Unit. Established in 1966 the unit has for many years participated in the laying of the flags at the cemetery, followed by marching in the parade then concluding with the Veteran’s Ceremony at the Courthouse lawn.
As of June 30, the national organization will dissolve, leaving a void in our community. The Strawberry Festival parade will be the last marching parade as a Junior Girl unit.
Locally the chairperson has been Jean Sabol for the past 27 years. Her dedication and commitment to the group has been instrumental in guiding the girls in their numerous community services; from visiting the nursing homes with their holiday crafts made by the girls year round, beautification projects, singing at the community center, baking cookies for the elderly, our deployed soldiers and Rural Ministry, making cards for our soldiers, marching in four parades annually.
These mentions are only a sampling of the services that the girls participate in while learning valuable life lessons that they carry into their adulthood. It is truly an organization that has benefitted both hundreds of girls and veterans throughout the years and will be deeply missed in our community.
Jean Sabol may continue the unit’s efforts as a youth group, which will not be recognized at the state level. An appreciation and recognition dinner for her years of service will be June 7 at 2 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post 1371.
This year’s last New York State Conference and Award Banquet was held on April 18 in Port Jervis, N.Y. Post 1371 came home with two of the top trophies; first place for Community Service as well as Youth Activities; they also received first place for their scrapbook which is a reflection of their year’s service to our veterans and community. The girls also came home with several certificates and awards for their participation in various endeavors.
