A new Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary has been formed in West Plains to support veterans, service members and their families.
The Department of Missouri VFW Auxiliary instituted Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 1828 during an April 23 ceremony held at James T. Kirk VFW Post 1828.
The auxiliary is the newest addition in Missouri and the third formed in the state this year. It joins a network of more than 3,600 auxiliaries and 470,000 members worldwide that support communities through volunteer projects, patriotic programs, youth scholarships and activities serving veterans and military families.
Since 1914, the VFW has been supported by the VFW Auxiliary, whose members include relatives of those who served with the U.S. Armed Forces in overseas combat.
“Having the opportunity to institute this auxiliary is great. It is closer to home for me. It is also in my district,” said Department President Patti Burge.
Officers were elected following the institution of the auxiliary. The local officials are President Teresa Gelsinger, Senior Vice President David Kirk, Junior Vice President Mary Campbell, Secretary Julie Brown, Treasurer Lisa Kirk, Chaplain Crystal Hammack, Conductor Fran King, Guard Kevin Lott, three-year Trustee Lori Cox, two-year Trustee Kyle Jones and one-year Trustee Kelly Wagner.
The newly elected officers were installed by Burge. Department Secretary Jackie Davis served as installation secretary, and District 18 President Gail Huffman and Department Historian Mary Thurman served as installation conductors.
“We are thrilled to join the VFW Auxiliary family and bring their programs to the area,” said Gelsinger, speaking on behalf of the auxiliary’s 16 charter members. “We will support the VFW Post 1828 locally as well as our district and department; we are stronger by formally becoming VFW Auxiliary members.”
The auxiliary’s regular business meeting is held at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Potential members who have a qualifying family connection to a veteran who served overseas may bring documentation before the meeting for assistance.
