Hampshire VFW welcomes new members

The Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043 will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Hampshire Township building, 100 Center St. New members are welcome.

At the Oct. 8 meeting with Commander Lowell Reiser presiding, chaplain Patrick Herrmann gave the opening prayer followed by the Salute to Colors and Pledge of Allegiance. Adjutant pro tem Jody Remakel was appointed by the commander in the absence of Lavern Martens. Service Officer Edward Wesemann sent a report that a fruit basket had been delivered to a member recuperating from surgery.

Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy forms have been delivered to the St. Charles Borromeo School, Hampshire Middle School, and Hampshire and Central high schools. A thank-you was read from Transitional Living Services in Hebron for the miscellaneous donations and also a monetary donation in memory of a deceased veteran.

For details, call Lowell Reiser at (847) 683-3443.

Ladies Auxiliary: The Hampshire Ladies Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 8043 will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Hampshire Township building, 100 Center St., Hampshire.

At the Oct. 8 meeting with president Jerrilynne Partlo opening the meeting, the prayer was led by Chaplain Elaine Setter followed with the Pledge of Allegiance and the group singing "God Bless America," led by musician Velda Grimes. A roll call of officers and members was answered by conductress pro tem Joyce Deutsch. There were two guests present for the meeting. VFW Commander Lowell Reiser thanked members for the support and cooperation on the recent drawing. A check was presented to the auxiliary in appreciation. The second guest was new member Mary Lou Manning. She was welcomed into the auxiliary and election was approved by officers and members. The president presented Manning with the by-laws, and explained the auxiliary member pin, stating that the ground of gold symbolizes strength, the lines of white represent purity, the circle of blue is truth and the cross is faith.

The Fifth District meeting, held at Carpentersville Post 5915, was attended by treasurer Arlene Reiser. The state of Illinois Department Officers, senior vice president, chaplain and conductress were in attendance. Auxiliary 8043 received awards for the following programs: Americanism; cancer aid and research; community service; Operation Uplink; membership; patriotic instruction program; publicity; youth activities; Patriots Pen; Voice of Democracy; VFW Pac; historian; and a trophy for Sept. 11, 2001 Remembrance Day.

At the next meeting on Nov. 12, judging will be held on the Patriot Pen essays from St. Charles Borromeo School and Hampshire Middle School.

A grave marker has been placed on the grave of past auxiliary president and charter member Arminta Tegtman.

Membership was discussed and new members are welcome. For eligibility, call Arlene at (847) 683-3443.