Posted: 11/15/06
NB VFW Auxiliary Post #6424 celebrates 60 years
 Esther Schmidt holds the original charter certificate for the NB VFW Auxiliary, established Nov. 26, 1946. There were 13 charter members. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
In 1946, as veterans were returning from countries all over the world, women in North Branch decided to form a Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Under the leadership of Esther Schmidt, 13 women became the Auxiliary. They met in the in the cafe, under the theater and other places.
As an organized group, they had to learn many things. They marched to piano music to their chairs. Protocol was important.
The Auxiliary women even formed a bowling team. The difficult part of this team, however, was in finding a uniform dress that would fit - many of the women were pregnant with their first child.
The charter members were: Clarice Anderson, Delia Dresel, Amy Erickson, Ida Erickson, Linnea Flodquist, Barbara Hals, Marcella Hawkinson, Phyllis Lindberg, Irene Linder, Amy Olson, Esther Schmidt, Myrtle Swenson and Myrtle Carlson. The Auxiliary membership grew to 127 by the 50th birthday.
Over the years, noted first Auxiliary president Esther Schmidt, now in her 90s, the Auxiliary has done many things to care for returning veterans and their families.
The women were determined to be a patriotic influence in the community.
Projects and activities included Buddy Poppy sales, visiting veteransí hospitals and homes, recycling, cancer support, bake sales and marching in parades.
Schmidt is particularly proud of the work they have done in the local schools. The Auxiliary offers opportunities for young students to participate in patriotic poster contests and essay contests for the older children.
The teachers have been so willing to help make these events possible, Schmidt said.
Everyone who enters the contests receives a small gift. Some winners have the opportunity to go on to state and national competitions where there are cash awards.
Most recently, Schmidt personally read over 300 essays on the studentsí wishes for America, written by NB middle school 6th graders.
She said it was tough to pick out the top essays.
Schmidt was pleased and happy to learn through the essays that the young people were concerned about wars, broken homes, drugs, smoking, bullying, littering, and keeping America clean and beautiful.
ìAmerica should be safe, clean, caring and patriotic if we listen to our future patriots,î said Schmidt.
Of the Auxiliary, Schmidt said, ìSixty years ago I organized this thing and itís been going better and better all the time.
To join the Auxiliary, you need to be a woman related in many ways to persons eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign War, and age 16 or older. For more information about membership, call Valerie Nelson (651) 674-4540 or Judy Nelson (651) 64-4073.
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