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The Fayette County Record
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Published 5 months ago
Last updated 5 months ago
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VFW Post 5254 Marks Christmas with Awards, Remembrance, and Community Spirit

By News Staff
  • VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and Jr. Vice President Elizabeth Kallus presented the POW/MIA Table - Remembrance Ceremony.
    VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and Jr. Vice President Elizabeth Kallus presented the POW/MIA Table - Remembrance Ceremony.
  • VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary of La Grange - 2025 Patriot’s Pen winners with presenters from left, VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann, third place Angela Soto, second place Teague Weinert, first place Lylah Robertson, and Contest Chairman and VFW Commander Richard Gray.
    VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary of La Grange - 2025 Patriot’s Pen winners with presenters from left, VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann, third place Angela Soto, second place Teague Weinert, first place Lylah Robertson, and Contest Chairman and VFW Commander Richard Gray.
  • President Marilyn Kothmann presented a VFW Auxiliary 5254 Certificate of Appreciation to VFW Post member Scott Jones for his outstanding continuous promotion of the “Buddy” Poppy Program.
    President Marilyn Kothmann presented a VFW Auxiliary 5254 Certificate of Appreciation to VFW Post member Scott Jones for his outstanding continuous promotion of the “Buddy” Poppy Program.
  • VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary of La Grange - 2025 Voice of Democracy winners with presenters from left, VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann, third place Lawrence Castillo, first place Brooke McCoy, Contest Chairman and VFW Commander Richard Gray, and not present was second place winner Avery Lamson.
    VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary of La Grange - 2025 Voice of Democracy winners with presenters from left, VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann, third place Lawrence Castillo, first place Brooke McCoy, Contest Chairman and VFW Commander Richard Gray, and not present was second place winner Avery Lamson.
  • From left, Donna Wessels, donor of the crocheted lap afghans, with Veteran winners Scott Jones, Ed Matocha, Ivan Muras, and Glenn Altwein.
    From left, Donna Wessels, donor of the crocheted lap afghans, with Veteran winners Scott Jones, Ed Matocha, Ivan Muras, and Glenn Altwein.
  • From left, Donna Wessels, donor of the crocheted lap afghans, with Veteran winners Richard Gray, Bill Asbill, Erika Fischbach, and Lance Nickel.
    From left, Donna Wessels, donor of the crocheted lap afghans, with Veteran winners Richard Gray, Bill Asbill, Erika Fischbach, and Lance Nickel.
  • Brandi Venghaus, history teacher at Round Top Carmine Junior High and High School, was presented with a Certificate and Gifts as being chosen Teacher of the Year for VFW Post 5254. She is pictured with VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and VFW Post Commander Richard Gray.
    Brandi Venghaus, history teacher at Round Top Carmine Junior High and High School, was presented with a Certificate and Gifts as being chosen Teacher of the Year for VFW Post 5254. She is pictured with VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and VFW Post Commander Richard Gray.
  • District 28 VFW Auxiliary President Lisa Gilmer and J.P. Flaningan were guests at the VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary Christmas Party held Dec. 16.
    District 28 VFW Auxiliary President Lisa Gilmer and J.P. Flaningan were guests at the VFW Post 5254 and Auxiliary Christmas Party held Dec. 16.
  • On left and right, VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and Chaplain Mary Gray, who presented the Winners of the “guess the number of candies in the tins” game: Kim Mamaril, Teague Weinert, Lance Nickel, Libby Robertson, and Elizabeth Castillo.
    On left and right, VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and Chaplain Mary Gray, who presented the Winners of the “guess the number of candies in the tins” game: Kim Mamaril, Teague Weinert, Lance Nickel, Libby Robertson, and Elizabeth Castillo.

The Fayette Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5254 and Auxiliary members of La Grange held their annual Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Post Home that was decorated festively for this “most wonderful time of the year.” The social began at 5 p.m., and during this time of fellowship the Auxiliary held a fun bucket raffle fundraiser for youth scholarships and a guessing game to win prizes.

At 6 p.m. the POW/MIA Table - Remembrance Ceremony was presented by Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann and Jr. Vice President Elizabeth Kallus, followed by opening prayers by Post Chaplain Scott Jones. Post Commander Richard Gray welcomed attendees and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. After the meal blessing, a turkey and ham with all the trimming’s catered dinner was enjoyed by all.

President Kothmann made two VFW Auxiliary Certificates of Appreciation presentations. Johnelle Minzenmeyer Miksch was recognized for her fifty years of continuous membership in the VFW Auxiliary 5254 of La Grange (she was unable to attend). Post member Scott Jones was recognized for his outstanding continuous promotion of the “Buddy” Poppy Program.

Kothmann then introduced and thanked Donna Wessels, member of Ladies Auxiliary Quade Werchan Post #338 of Round Top, who had donated eight hand crocheted lap throw afghans, giving them in appreciation for our Veterans who served in the military, thanking them for their service. She drew the names for the eight Veterans who won her crocheted afghans.

Also introduced as guests by Kothmann was VFW Auxiliary District 28 President Lisa Gilmer and J.P. Flaningan.

Next was the announcement of the local winners in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliary, Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition for youth in grades 9-12; Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Competition for youth in grades 6,7,8; and the VFW Post 5254 Teacher of the Year.

The topic for the contests was, “How are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” The winners and their families were invited to the party for the awards presentations. All the winners were from the Round Top Carmine schools. Giving background information about the contests and announcing the winners was Contest Chairman Commander Gray who was assisted in the presentations by Auxiliary Scholarship Chairman and Contest Co-Chairman Mary Gray and President Kothmann.

In recognition of excellence in the Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition, the winners were designated as Outstanding Spokespersons for Freedom. The Voice of Democracy Citations and Scholarships were presented to the following winners: First place $500, Brooke McCoy; Second place $200, Avery Lamson; and Third place $100, Lawrence Castillo.

In recognition of excellence in the Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Competition, the winners were acknowledged as Outstanding Young Spokespersons of the Future. Receiving monetary prizes and Youth Essay Certificates of Merit were the following winners: First place $100, Lylah Robertson; Second place $75, Teague Weinert; and Third place $50, Angela Soto.

Brandi Venghaus was chosen as the VFW Post 5254 Teacher of the Year and was presented with a Certificate and Gifts from the VFW Post and its Auxiliary. She is a history teacher at Round Top Carmine Junior High and Hight School.

Commander Gray said the “Fayette Memorial Post No. 5254 of La Grange, Texas, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, mustered in Dec. 6, 1945” making this the 80th Anniversary.

The fundraiser and guessing games were finalized, a door prize drawing was held for the Santa Claus centerpieces, and Auxiliary Chaplain Mary Gray conveyed a heartfelt closing prayer.

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