VFW Auxiliary Holds Teleconference Meeting
Officers and members of the busy VFW Auxiliary of VFW Post 5254 voted unanimously to hold their Sept. 15 meeting virtually with President Vicki Latapie presiding.
The opening prayer was read by Chaplain Myrna Altwein and members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Eight members approved conducting the meeting virtually and took part in the call. Participating were Officers Vicki Latapie, Barbara Brauner, Marilyn Kothmann, Anna Boyd, Elizabeth Kallus, Shirley Thrasher, Myrna Altwein and Beverly Gray.
The minutes of the August 18th meeting were sent out via email along with the reports of the treasurer and Chairman of Americanism/Patriotism and Legislative Committees.
Secretary Kothman’s minutes and Treasurer Boyd’s report were approved as sent out.
Legislative Chairman Elizabeth Kallus reported that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified nine unaccounted American servicemen from WWII were returned home for burial with full military honors. Another article from the “VFW Action Corps Weekly” stated that in an effort to provide our veterans, service members and military families with current information on key veteran legislation, educational and financial assistance programs, national veterans’ services and critical initiatives from the VFW National Commander-in-Chief, the VFW is turning to the podcast world. It will be launched the first Wednesday of October, November and December. Kallus also mentioned the VA announced its new partnership with OnStar emergency services to improve access to suicide prevention resources for veterans. The Americanism/Patri
otic report by chairman Kallus highlighted important dates and information about these days for the upcoming month of October. Included were Columbus Day on October 12th and Navy Day on the 27th. Since the Auxiliary is not meeting in person, the POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony was not held at the meeting. This ceremony honors commitments and the sacrifices made by our nation’s prisoners of wars and those who are still missing in action.
Scholarship Chair Brauner reported that the brochures for the 2020-2021 Voice of Democracy(VOC) and Patriots Pen have been distributed or mailed to La Grange, Giddings and Round Top schools and will be also sent to the Fayetteville campus. The theme for the VOD is “Is This the Country the Founders Envsioned?” and the Patriot’s Pen theme is “What is Patriotism to Me?”
Under old business, President Vicki reported that she sent 577 manufactured coupons with a value of $1,468 to the District 28 chairman to be sent to military families needing assistance.
Under new business, as a community outreach project, President Vicki suggested we should all purchase dog/cat food to take to the local animal shelter. She also went over the 12 National Programs, asking members input and how to improve. It was determined that since the vote or participate in the Community Outreach Program took place at our August meeting, that our service hours should start as of that day. All hours are to be reported to Vicki, and she will send in the report. The Trustees will be con
ducting the Austin meeting in October. The District 28 Auxiliary President Nicole De La Rosa-Moore will be included in our October 20th meeting. Kallus will be checking on COVID-19 sanitizing procedures that are being done by the City of La Grange at the VFW Home.
Publicity Chairman Brauner was thanked for writing the article published in the Fayette County Record newspaper in September, which is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Treasurer Anna Boyd mentioned that member Peggy Sulik noticed that the U.S. flag at the City of La Grange cemetery needs replacing. Brauner will check into this matter.
The meeting concluded with a short prayer read by Chaplain Myrna Altwein. Next meeting is Oct. 20.