Ellsworth VFW Auxiliary Post 6485

The Ellsworth VFW Auxiliary Post 6485 met Nov. 15 to discuss many holiday events, with Gloria Marez presiding over eight members. Three new members were voted to join the Auxiliary.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, the Auxiliary will help the VFW place Christmas wreaths on Ellsworth County cemetery plots of veterans starting at the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery in east Ellsworth. Anyone wanting to help is asked to notify VFW Commander Doug Stefek.

Auxiliary members accompanied VFW members on Nov. 11 to honor all veterans as they talked to Ellsworth schools and Precious Pals Preschool. Auxiliary members served soup and desserts at the Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Bunco following. Auxiliary members also handed out Buddy Poppies. A portion of the proceeds from poppy purchases goes to funding the VFW National Home for Children near Eaton Rapids, Mich. A prayer was said for the Home. Auxiliary members voted to donate $200 for Christmas gifts for the children. In spring of 1925, the first family, Mrs. Pollett and her six children, stayed there.

Come have “Breakfast with Santa” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the VFW Post Home, 1006 West 12th St. The VFW will serve a full menu for all ages, and Santa will visit with the children, with a bag of candy for the “good ones.”

Members attended a short service honoring veterans and had a meal on Nov. 11 at the Salina Rescue Mission. They gave gifts to nine veterans. These included quilts made by the ladies from the Immanuel Lutheran Church, flannel blankets, packages of socks, neck scarves and snacks in a coffee mug.

The Auxiliary is selling community calendars. The membership drive is winding down. Dues have to be paid by Dec. 30.

Chaplain Connie Ranker gave an interesting talk about the Code Talkers — over 400 Navajo men who were trained in the United States Marine Corps to help defeat the Japanese, serving from 1942-1945. President Ronald Reagan made Aug. 14, 1982, National Code Talkers’ Day. According to the Marine Corps, the Navajo code was the only military code in modern history never broken by an enemy.

The Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 at the Post 6485 Home.

Sharon Haverkamp