VFW Post 10406
Auxiliary Update (2019-2020)

We are excited to have begun another great year for our Auxiliary. I have been honored to have been re-elected as this year’s Auxiliary President. Our Auxiliary jump started the year by creating a float for the VFW 4th of July parade. This event celebrates America and we are always proud to be a part of such a great celebration. The first half of this year was filled with Chicken Q’s, Quilts of Valor luncheon, volunteerism at the Tomah VA, as well as hosting our Auxiliary District 9 meeting here in Cochrane. The continued volunteerism by our members to support our VFW never astonishes me and makes me so proud to be part of such a great organization. Our Auxiliary continues to receive awards from both the District and State recognizing our team for the continued membership numbers, of which we celebrate but are always looking for new members to join our team. I am very proud of this Auxiliaries dedication, passion, and steadfast fortitude in making sure that we are sustainable and supportive of our post and the Veterans that served to keep our country safe.

I would like to reflect on a few of the accomplishments of our dedicated Auxiliary.

• Election Of New Officers

• Maintaining Over 100% Auxiliary Membership

• For Our Post Sponsoring/Participating In Many Community Events Such As:
  

This list goes on and on and shows the impact of our team and the dedication to our Veterans and Post 10406. Without the efforts of all and the dedication for volunteerism we could not accomplish all these things. Exciting things await in 2019 and my hope is that we can continue with our patriotic teamwork and joy for the cause. In January we will be unveiling our new Auxiliary flag at the post. This is an exciting time in the VFW Auxiliary as we welcome all comers that are eligible.

2019 will be filled with continued dedication, opportunities, and efficiency in our communication. If we all strive in maintaining our Auxiliary, we are also committing to the support of our Veterans. “Some succeed because they are destined to; most succeed because they are determined to.” -- Unknown. Let our Auxiliary succeed because we are determined to maintain and sustain.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Beseler
Post 10406 VFW Auxiliary President

Cochrane Buffalo City VFW Post 10406 Auxiliary recently held a flag dedication ceremony to update and dedicate its commitment to the VFW Auxiliary’s change in name and eligibility requirements. While Cochrane Buffalo City Post 10406 VFW Ladies Auxiliary originally chartered and formed August 29th, 1976, the local Ladies Auxiliary Post drew from long established roots. Established 1914, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary set out to serve the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. In 2015 the VFW passed a resolution to amend their National Bylaws at their 116th National Convention in Pittsburgh, allowing male spouses and family members to join the VFW Auxiliary effective August 21, 2015. While not a merger of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW and Men’s Auxiliary VFW, it changed the name of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW to VFW Auxiliary and allowed spouses and eligible male relatives to join the VFW Auxiliary.

The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and members are the relatives of those who have served in overseas combat. The Auxiliary has more than 475,000 members in nearly 3,900 Auxiliaries nationwide who volunteer millions of hours and fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans, military service personnel and their families. Members and those wanting to join must be related to a veteran who has served in overseas combat, earning the campaign medals eligible. That veteran can be a living or deceased spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild. Step- and adopted parents, children, siblings (and half-siblings), grandparents and grandchildren are considered the same as biological parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren and may join the VFW Auxiliary under their VFW-eligible veteran.

Pictured during the new flag dedication ceremony are VFW Post 10406 Auxiliary President Kimberly Beseler and new auxiliary member James Gottschalk.