Local VFW auxiliary celebrates 60th anniversary years ago
Staff reporter
For every good organization, often there is another good support group that assists that organization.
For 60 years, the Ladies Auxiliary of Ecker-Fulkerson-Slifer VFW Post #6958 of Marion has been doing that.
Organized on Oct. 10, 1946, six months after the Ecker-Fulkerson-Slifer Veterans of Foreign War Post #6958 of Marion was organized, the auxiliary has reason to celebrate its accomplishments.
Simply, the auxiliary supports the VFW, veterans, and their families.
"The auxiliary promotes patriotism and provides aide to veterans," Donna Kreutziger, auxiliary president, said.
The organization has donated flags to Marion Senior Center, Marion City Library, Hilltop Manor, and Golden Living Center.
The auxiliary also sponsors essay and art contests that provide scholarships to youth.
Patriot's Pen, Voice of Democracy and a new art project, Patriotic Art, are the programs available for students.
A bazaar is planned this month at the VFW post home as a fund-raiser to pay for awards for the essay contests, scholarships, and telephone cards for active soldiers.
"It's very important for us to support our youth," Kreutziger said, "because they're the future of America."
An important responsibility is to provide funds to the VFW to help pay bills and keep the post home open.
Nowadays, some post homes have closed because of lack of funds and interest. If the post home should close, the auxiliary would have to disband.
"The post home is the one place local veterans can gather and share common military experiences," Kreutziger said.
This was especially true 20 to 30 years ago when there weren't as many opportunities for veterans to socialize. Now there are motorcycle clubs and other organizations especially for veterans which provide those important opportunities.
In the background for some fund-raising endeavors, the auxiliary provides money for materials to make bibs which are ultimately distributed by St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary. The group also assists with Boy Scout programs.
The organization's funds also support the national ladies VFW auxiliary organization and the VFW National Home for Children.
"When soldiers die, their families are uprooted from base homes and can live in this VFW-funded home," Kreutziger said.
The Marion organization has a roster of 120 members with about a dozen who attend on a regular basis.
In order to qualify as a member, applicants must be at least 16 years of age and directly related to a veteran (grandfather/grandmother, father/mother, brother/sister, or spouse) who have served overseas in wartime.
Some of the original charter members are Evelyn Ollenburger, Doris Hett, Fernetta Hoover, and Peggy Summerville.
Active members are necessary to assure the future of the organization, Kreutziger said.
So, why did she join?
"Basically, it was my mother-in-law, Frances Kreutziger, who got me involved," Kreutziger said.
Frances Kreutziger joined when her son, Willis, was a serviceman in Vietnam.
"My children had graduated from school and I had time to devote to it," Kreutziger said.
Since her affiliation with the organization, she has gone through the ranks of officers, and currently serves as president.
Mary Ford first joined in 1968 and was one of the younger members. She "rejoined" the organization in 1992, and has served in various offices including district senior vice president.
"I come from a family of veterans," she said, including two who earned gold stars.
"Patriotism has always been a strong point."
Probably the more well-known and visible activities in which the auxiliary participates are Memorial Day services at Marion Cemetery and Buddy Poppy sales on Old Settlers' Day.
The goal of the Buddy Poppy program is to honor the dead by helping the living. By wearing a Buddy Poppy, disabled and deceased veterans are honored for making sacrifices for this country's freedom.
"Doing something special for veterans, their families, and troops in time of war is what we do," Kreutziger said.
