Newtown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 Ladies Auxiliary members are celebrating.

Several members received their 20-year pins Saturday, January 10, “a little something to make the day a little more special and let them know they are appreciated,” said Auxiliary member Susan Dlouhy. “If not for them we would not be as far along as we are.”

Those receiving their 20-year pins are also the auxiliary’s founding members: Cheryl Barszcz, Rose Holland, Del Livingston, Jill Metcalk, Jan Moran, Mary Orten, Joyce Staudinger, Eleanor Sturges, Debbie Sturges, and Evelyn Urban.

Ten-year pins were also presented, to Cynthia Todd and Donna Wing, while five-year recipients are Jerry Brewster, Jennifer Clark, and Nancy Wallenta.

The Ladies Auxiliary, nationally founded in 1914, exists to support the VFW Post members, and more. A compilation of general information assembled by Newtown Post Vice Commander Brendan Dlouhy states, “Like the VFW, the auxiliary's interests have broadened to encompass the entire community. Today, the Ladies Auxiliary is involved in a wide range of activities. The auxiliary has programs for veterans, their families, young people and the community at large.”

Marking memorable moments spanning the last two decades are photos and newspaper clippings primarily from The Newtown Bee, lovingly assembled and kept safe in scrapbooks by Mrs Holland. Pulling out the keepsakes covered with handmade appliqué and quilting done by Mrs Staudinger, Mrs Holland ran an appreciative hand over the well-sewn album covers. Inside were pictures and newsprint noting the ladies’ work supporting the VFW.

Pointing to news datelines from 1995 when the current auxiliary began, Mrs Holland’s smile was far away: “It’s the little things that went on, the parades, etc,” she said, describing the types of clippings she kept. “Twenty years has gone by so rapidly.” Turning pages, she pointed out other items, such as letters to the editor or brief articles Mrs Holland had written for VFW publications.

Mrs Holland’s albums include one photo that ran in The Bee in 1995 of the founding members. Many of the women who received their 20-year pins this month are in that original photo.

Setting one album aside and opening the pages of a second, she said, “I do love to go through these.” When she and other auxiliary members have lunch occasionally, they often use the books to reminisce.

Also saved in her scrapbook are news clippings from an essay contest she had organized when she first started with the auxiliary. First grade students at St Rose School answered the question of what The Pledge of Allegiance means to them. Since then “We have had all kinds of activities, craft fairs, fundraisers. In the 20 years we have so many nice pictures and memories,” Mrs Holland said.

While paging through those memories and talking about the ladies’ many events, Mrs Holland said, “It’s a wonderful organization, and I do hope it goes on and on.”

Offering a glimpse of history into the auxiliary which had originally started more than 20 years ago, she said, its members had “moved away or died out.” Mrs Holland, said that the ladies in 1995 “regrouped” and reformed the auxiliary, formally doing so on January 15, 1995.

“Our function is to serve the veterans in our post, our community, or anywhere,” she said. “We do all we can to support them.”

Regarding her years of work, she said, “It’s such a satisfactory feeling I have inside. I am so proud to be part of this organization.”

With four brothers in the service at the same time, a father and a husband that had also served, and a son-in-law who is also a veteran, Mrs Holland said, “We have a very patriotic family, and I have been accused of having red, white, and blue blood.” She is a proud member, she said, because of her family’s military involvement.

“I love this country. I hope God gives me health and strength to carry on,” she said.

Inspiration For Decades Of Service

Other 20-year members also shared their thoughts on being an auxiliary member.

Evelyn Urban said, “It’s a good organization and we do a lot for the [VFW members].” Ms Urban and the others started the auxiliary in 1995, and still today they meet monthly and hold regular activities and fundraisers.

“The men appreciate the work we do, and we appreciate them for keeping us safe,” she said. She is “in because of my dad [Miklos Urban], he was a WWII veteran.”

Participating in the auxiliary is her way of being able to give back to the veterans. “It’s a very worthwhile organization and the men back from war need all the support they can get; some coming back now are not in such good shape,” she said.

Jill Metcalf’s father, John William Thomas, was killed in the second world war, she said, and her brother John Thomas Jr also joined the service. Sadly, after coming home from boot camp in 1955 he was killed in a car accident. Mrs Metcalf’s youngest brother is Ernest “Junie” Ingram, who served as Newtown’s post commander for more than 20 years. Mrs Metcalf’s uncle, the late Richard “Porky” Andrews, was a World War II prisoner of war who managed to escape, she said.

Mrs Metcalf’s family, including her mother, the late Gladys Ingram, are the reasons she became involved in the local ladies auxiliary, she said.

“To me, I like to support the vets and do what I can for them. I help at the VFW, and I am very thankful that they were there to protect and serve for us,” said the longtime Sandy Hook resident.

Her family’s involvement in the armed service continues. Her grandson John Ryan “JR” Metcalf recently become a corporal in the US Marine Corps.

Vice Commander Dlouhy made a speech earlier this month during the 20-year pin ceremony, which had many members complimenting his effort.

In his comments, which he assembled based on the auxiliary’s activities — both locally and nationally — he noted, “While continuing to support the VFW and its causes, the Ladies Auxiliary has developed a social conscience of its own. With the paramount goal of helping families in distress, its members perform community service, fund cancer research, fight drug abuse and illiteracy, advocate for the rights of the elderly, and support the VFW National Home, Special Olympics, and other worthy causes.”

Auxiliary members conduct youth activities, community activities, conduct veteran outreach and support, provide hospital volunteers to veterans, and much more.

Vice Commander Dlouhy’s speech concluded, “The key to a well functioning VFW Ladies Auxiliary is to work closely with its Post to reach out to our veterans, their families, the community, our youth, and to each other to do the very best we can to promote patriotism, community service, and support for the future of our children.”

The ladies auxiliary, which meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7  is seeking new members. Ladies can contact the post at 203-426-9316 or  The Post is located at 18 Freedom Defenders Way (a/k/a Tinkerfield Road), off Mile Hill South.vfwpost308newtown@gmail.com.