VFW Post No. 5254, Auxiliary Holds Christmas Party, Presentations Made

The Fayette Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5254 and Auxiliary of La Grange held their annual Christmas party at the Post Home on Tuesday, Dec. 17 beginning with social hour and fellowship time at 5 p.m. The Auxiliary held a fun bucket raffle fundraiser for youth scholarships and a guessing game to win prizes.

The hall was decorated festively for the Veterans party; and the POW MIA table was on display for remembrance – we shall not forget.

At 6 p.m., VFW Commander Richard Gray welcomed attendees and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. VFW Chaplain Dick Frenzel gave the blessing before the meal. A turkey and ham with all the trimmings catered dinner was enjoyed by all.

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, and Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Competition for youth in grades 6-8. The winners and their families had been invited to the party for the special awards presentations. Giving background information about the contests and announcing the winners was Contest Chairman Commander Gray. He was assisted in the presentations by VFW Auxiliary Scholarship Chairman and Contest Co-Chairman Mary Gray and VFW Auxiliary President Marilyn Kothmann.

In recognition of excellence in the Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Competition, the winners were acknowledged as Outstanding Youth Spokespersons of the Future. Receiving monetary prizes, Youth Essay Certificates of Merit, and ribbon badges were the following: First place, Zowen A. Pereiro, Greater Vision Team School; Second place, Jaycee S. Zapalac, Greater Vision Team School; and Third place, Connor K. Fricke, Round Top Carmine. Topic was “My Voice in Americas’ Democracy?”

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 Certificates of Merit, scholarships, and ribbon badges were presented to the following winners: First place, Hope K. Michalke, La Grange High School; Second place, Elizabeth R. Castillo, Round Top Carmine High School; and Third place, Georgia J. Bockman, Round Top Carmine High School. Topic was “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”

President Kothmann presented a VFW Auxiliary Certificate of Appreciation to Rose Recek, in recognition of her sixty-six years of continuous membership in the VFW Auxiliary 5254 of La Grange. She was thanked for all the contributions she has made throughout the years.

Veterans receiving “Quilts of Valor” that had been quilted by members of the Colorado Valley Quilt Guild were VFW 5254 members Erwin Sladek, Glenn Altwein, Jim Holub, and Joe Kruppa.

The fundraiser and guessing games were finalized and the event ended with the drawing for gift card door prizes.