Ladies Auxiliary welcomed back at Wilmington VFW Post 5422

After meeting elsewhere for nine years, members of the Ladies Auxiliary are back where they belong—VFW Post 5422.

Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Malcolm J. Mayo Post 5422 recently met with outgoing Commander Terry Cerutti and other board members asking if the post would welcome them back. They broke off from the men’s organization in 2011 and have been meeting at the Wilmington Moose Lodge ever since.

“We’re looking forward to working together for the betterment of veterans and the community,” commented Barb Howard, president of the Women’s Auxiliary. “We’re very happy that there’s a new outlook for the two groups and we want the post to know we’re ready to volunteer in whatever way we can for the benefit of everyone.”

The women’s organization was instituted Feb. 1, 1957, with 19 members — one shy of filling the slate of officers. The founders included president Mary Rush, senior vice president Martha Dalziel, junior vice president Ruth Roecher, treasurer Delores Weidenbock and secretary Marcella Nicholsen.

Their activities haven’t changed much in more than six decades; the themes of patriotism, veteran support and camaraderie survive, although the character of the activities and characters involved have evolved with the times.

For 64 years, before they had a parting with Post 5422, the ladies were at the side of the men when they held their fundraisers and their recognition dinners, and they have always supported the youth of the community with funding assistance as well as programs to promote patriotism.

“I believe there’s a common need to raise money for the V and here’s our chance to unite for a common good,” Howard said.

At present there are 20 members in the Ladies Auxiliary. To be a member, a woman must be a wife, mother, sister, grandmother or child of a veteran who served in a conflict on foreign soil. For more information about becoming a VFW auxiliary member, contact Howard at 815-476-6980.